UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Israel on Monday for planning to build housing units in a West Bank settlement, saying the decision conflicts with "Israel's obligation under the road map" for Middle East peace.
Israel's settlement activities have long been a major bone of contention in efforts to bring peace to the region. In December, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered his government not to start any new construction projects in the West Bank without his approval.
That announcement came after Palestinian officials expressed outrage that Israel's proposed funding for 2008 included construction plans in Ma'aleh Adumim, which is part of the West Bank, and Har Homa, in a disputed area that Israel considers part of Jerusalem.
Ban expressed concern over Israel's decision to resume construction, a U.N. statement attributed to Ban's spokesman said.
"Any settlement expansion is contrary to Israel's obligations under the road map and to international law. 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."
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Topic: U.N. blasts Israel for West Bank housing expansion plan (Read 2026 times)