The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about reports of the Israeli Government authorizing the declaration of 370 acres in the West Bank, south of Jericho, as so-called 'State land'. If implemented, this declaration would constitute the largest land appropriation by Israel in the West Bank since August 2014.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for substantial policy changes on the ground by Israel that will improve the lives of Palestinians. Settlement activities are a violation of international law and run counter to the public pronouncements of the Government of Israel supporting a two-State solution to the conflict.

ECOSOC - United Nations Economic and Social Council issued this content on 2016-01-20 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 2016-01-21 16:44:12 UTC

Original Document: http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sgsm17477.doc.htm