Palestine complains about new Israeli settlements

Israel's renewed settlement activities and the additional confiscation of Palestinian lands in the occupied territories was brought to the U.N.'s attention on Thursday by Palestine's permanent observer, Nasser Al-Kidwa.

"It is very unfortunate that all the above is happening at a time when some hope has been emerging with regard to implementation of the Sharm El-Sheikh memorandum," Al-Kidwa said in identical letters addressed to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the Security Council presidency.

"We strongly believe that this peace process cannot proceed to a successful conclusion while the occupying power continues occupation of Palestinian land from which Israel must withdraw in implementation of Security Council resolution 242, which is the aim of the Middle East peace process," al-Kidwa said.

While removing some of those settlements, Israel is proceeding with the establishment of 32 new settlements in the Occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, Al-Kidwa said.

In addition, the government continues to issue tenders for the construction of additional housing units in the existing settlements, including at Jabal Abu Ghneim and even in the Gaza Strip, he said.