UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Israel is violating international law by expanding its settlements in the occupied Palestinian land, including al-Quds (Jerusalem).

“Settlement construction should stop, as should measures which discriminate against Palestinian residents of the city and the ability of Palestinians to access the city,” Ban said on Thursday.

He added that Israel’s settlement activity also continues in the rest of the West Bank, in contravention of international law and Israel’s obligations under the Roadmap — the internationally approved plan for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.

Last week, the UN chief stated that planned moves by Israel, such as demolishing existing homes and constructing new settlements in the Silwan area of East al-Quds, are "contrary to international law, and to the wishes of Palestinian residents."

Despite the call by the UN, the Israeli-ruled municipality of al-Quds has approved a plan to demolish 22 more Palestinian homes in Silwan neighborhood, a Press TV correspondent in the UN headquarters in New York reported on Thursday.

More than 2,000 Palestinians protested last week against the Israeli plans for East al-Quds (Jerusalem), but were immediately confronted by the Israeli police.

(Press TV)