Ban alarmed by Israeli "state land" announcement

NEW YORK, Sept 1 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was alarmed by yesterday's announcement by Israeli authorities declaring nearly 1,000 acres of land in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank "state land." Ban's spokesman stressed in a statement that the seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which "as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two-state solution." Ban called on Israel to heed the calls of the international community to refrain from settlement activity and abide by its commitments under international law and the Quartet Road Map.
Israel said yesterday it would expropriate 400 hectraes of Palestinian land around Bethlemeh, and allowed a 45-day period for any appeal against the decision. (end) mao.bs