UN, Europe, Russia warn Israel over settlements
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Buy SPH photosUNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations (UN) and UN Security Council powers on Wednesday condemned Israel's heightened settler construction in the Palestinian territories as a threat to flagging peace efforts.
UN leader Ban Ki Moon and the UN envoys from several European Union (EU) countries, Russia and China warned Israel against building thousands of new settler homes approved in recent weeks.
US ambassador Susan Rice did not join their public attack on Israel, but slammed the "provocative" act of the United States' (US) major ally during closed UN Security Council consultations.
Israel has approved thousands of new homes in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem since the UN General Assembly voted on Nov 29 to recognise Palestine as a non-member state.
