Ban Ki-moon: “Israeli” Settlements Are an Obstacle To Peace

On Friday, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, told a UN Committee that "Israel" has put up barriers to peace with its continued construction of settlements on Palestinian land. He called on "Israel" to adhere to its obligations under international law and signed agreements in order to move forward in a peace process that has been stalled for months.

Ki-Moon told the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People that time is running out for a peace deal, which is supposed to be signed in September - a date that seems unlikely, given the stalling of the talks since October.

"Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, contravene the Road Map obligations of "Israel", undermine confidence, prejudge the outcome of the permanent status negotiations and hamper efforts at bringing the parties back to the negotiating table," he told a UN committee dealing with Palestinian issues on Friday, stressing there is no further time to lose.
Ban said the Palestinians have the right to an independent state, adding "Israel" "has a right to live in peace within secure borders," and a way must be found for Jerusalem to emerge as the "capital of the two states with arrangements for the holy sites acceptable to all."

Earlier in the week, Arab nations submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council condemning "Israeli" settlements in the West Bank, but a vote on it is not expected any time soon because of a likely U.S. veto.
The draft says that "Israeli" settlements established in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.

The secretary-general also called for a halt to "irresponsible rhetoric" that questions a two-state "Israeli"-Palestinian "solution" and incites hatred and violence.

Direct "peace talks" between "Israelis" and Palestinians, sponsored by the US collapsed last year after "Israel" refused to extend a 10-month freeze on West Bank settlement construction.