Al Qassam website - WASHINGTON - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Zionist approval of plans for the building of housing units in east Jerusalem, stating that "settlements are illegal under international law."

A statement issued by Ban's spokesman, published Wednesday morning, said, "The secretary-general condemns the approval of plans for the building of 1,600 new housing units in east Jerusalem by the Israeli Ministry of Interior earlier today."

The construction approval of 1,600 housing units in east J'lem were during US vice president's visit, interior minister claims timing coincidental.

"Furthermore, he underscores that settlement activity is contrary to Israel's obligations under the Roadmap, and undermines any movement towards a viable peace process," the statement added

The plan of confiscating will extend to Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in a outheasterly direction, upgrade to the entrance road. The plan spreads across some 580 dunams (143 acres), while the average size of each housing unit is 120 square meters (1,290 square feet).

US Vice President Joe Biden, currently visiting the Zionist entity and the Palestinian Authority to promote "proximity talks", said Tuesday, "I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in east Jerusalem."