Special Coordinator Serry’s statement on further settlement construction in the West Bank – Press release

STATEMENT FROM ROBERT SERRY, THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR THE

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF FURTHER

SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION IN THE WEST BANK

For immediate release

Jerusalem, 7th June 2012.

The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, reiterates the International Community’s view that all settlement construction – whether on private Palestinian land or elsewhere in occupied Palestinian territory – is contrary to international law.

The latest announcements, including adding 300 units in Beit El, deep inside the West Bank are deeply troubling. The Special Coordinator reiterates his recent warning to the Security Council that "if the parties do not grasp the current opportunity, they should realize the implication is not merely slowing progress toward a two-state solution. Instead, we could be moving down the path toward a one-state reality, which would also move us further away from regional peace in the spirit of the Arab Peace Initiative”.

Ends.

Richard Miron
Chief Public Information Officer
United Nations Special Coordinator's Office
Mobile: +972 54 5627825
Email: mironr@un.org
www.unsco.org