Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, said he was deeply concerned by the continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
His statement follows the announcement by the Israeli authorities of tenders for the construction of more than 1,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank.
The plan was slammed by Palestine, Jordan and rights organizations.
Wennesland reiterated that all settlements are illegal under international law, remain a substantial obstacle to peace, and must cease immediately.
Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing stated that the tenders were published under the supervision of Housing Minister Zeev Elkin.
The units will be added to more than 2,000 settlement units to be constructed in the West Bank, according to sources from the Ministry of Defense.
Elkin, from the New Hope party, said that “reinforcing the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria Area is essential in the Zionist vision.”
