RAMALLAH, West Bank — Visiting U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Saturday that Israeli settlement-building anywhere on occupied land is illegal and must be stopped, while a Palestinian teenager was killed in clashes with Israeli troops elsewhere in the West Bank.
The death of 16-year-old Mohammed Qadus, who Palestinians say was shot in the chest by Israeli security forces, comes amid heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians after Israel announced plans last week for 1,600 new homes for Jews in disputed East Jerusalem.
Israel has agreed to curb settlement construction in the West Bank, but not in East Jerusalem, claiming the entire city as Israel’s eternal capital.
On Saturday, Ban rejected Israel’s distinction between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
“The world has condemned Israel’s settlement plans in East Jerusalem,” Ban said at a news conference. “Let us be clear. All settlement activity is illegal anywhere in occupied territory and must be stopped.”
The Associated Press
