UN Chief Dismayed at Continued Israeli Actions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday said that he "is dismayed at continued Israeli actions" on settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, and called on Israel to "cease such provocative actions."

A statement, issued here by Ban's spokesperson, said, "The secretary-general is dismayed at continued Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem, including the demolition of Palestinian homes, the eviction of Palestinian families and the insertion of settlers into Palestinian neighborhoods."

"The eviction today of a Palestinian family in East Jerusalem is just the most recent incidents," the statement said.

"These actions stoke tensions, cause suffering and further undermine trust," the statement said, adding that the secretary- general "calls on Israel to cease such provocative actions."

"He further reiterates his call on Israel to implement its Road Map commitments by freezing all settlement activity, including natural growth; dismantling outposts; and reopening Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem," said the statement.

Last week, the United Nations called on Israel to immediately halt forced evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, warning that as many as 60,000 people there may be at risk of forced evictions, demolitions and displacement.

Despite the strong condemnation from the international community, including the United Nations, the United States and the European Union, Israel went ahead with its actions of settlements in the neighborhood in the occupied East Jerusalem.

The neighborhood was at the center of escalating tensions between Israel and the U.S. last month, when Israel's plan to build some 20 new apartments there was revealed, reports said. The U.S. has demanded that the project be halted, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said two weeks ago that "Israel will not agree to edicts of this kind in East Jerusalem."

The evacuation comes after a decision by the High Court of Justice last week, which ruled that the homes belong to Jewish families.

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