UN asks Israel to halt the expansion programme

UNITED NATIONS: Concerned over the rising tension in West Asia, the United Nations has urged Israel to halt the expansion of settlements on the occupied land.
 
"Any settlement expansion is contrary to Israel's obligations Under the Road Map to international law, UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon said in a statement on Monday.
 
The Middle East "Road Map", drawn up by the International Quartet trying to bring peace to the strife torn region, calls on Israel to stop expansion or construction of new settlements on the occupied land and the Palestinians to reciprocate by halting the terrorist activity by the militants against Israel.
 
"The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Israel to halt settlement expansion and reiterates that the fulfillment of Road Map obligations by both parties is an important measure underpinning the political process between them," Ban spokesperson Michel Montas said.
       
The aim of Quartet, which includes the US, the European Union, Russia and the UN, is to create condition for establishment of a Palestinian State living in peace with Israel.
 
The Road Map, drawn up in 2002, also envisages the two sides taking simultaneous steps to bring tensions down but it as has been ignored by both Israelis and the Palestinians.
       
Israel had announced the resumption of 750 housing units in West Bank settlement of Givat Zeev three days after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed 8 students in a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem.