Brussels, 10 March 2010 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has condemned the Israeli government’s decision to build some 1,600 new settlement homes on Palestinian land next to Jerusalem, just two days after the Palestinian Authority had announced its willingness to hold “proximity” talks with Israel using US mediation.

“This latest announcement by the government of Israel is a major setback for the prospects of renewed dialogue between Palestine and Israel, all the more so since it came immediately after an important move from the Palestinian side which we still hope can help kick-start the peace process,” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will travel to the region later this month, has strongly criticised the Israeli move, pointing out that settlements are “illegal under international law”, and that settlement activity “undermines any movement towards a viable peace process”.

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