“Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon deplored the Israeli Government's decision today to expand Jerusalem’s Gilo settlement, stressing that it was built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war,” UN website reads.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his position that settlements are illegal, and calls on Israel to respect its commitments under the Road Map to cease all settlement activity, including natural growth,” a statement says, referring to the peace plan that foresees two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security," the statement says.

November 17, 2009 Israeli authorities approved the decision to build 900 three- and four-bedroom apartments for Jewish families in the southern region of Jerusalem.