UN Worried about Israel’s Land Appropriation Intention near West Bank

12:42     21 January, 2016

After Israeli media reported that the government intends to declare 370 acres in the Jordan Valley near West Bank "state land," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern over the issue.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about reports of the Israeli Government authorising the declaration of 370 acres in the West Bank, south of Jericho, as so-called 'state land.' If implemented, this declaration would constitute the largest land appropriation by Israel in the West Bank since August 2014," the UN chief's spokesperson said in a statement, Sputnik News reports.

Palestine seeks the recognition of its independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip — lands occupied by Israel since 1967 Six-Day War.