[JURIST] UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official profile] released a statement [text] Tuesday asserting that Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank violate international law. The statement was delivered by Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Max Gaylard at the opening of the UN International Meeting on the Question of Palestine [UN press release] in Malta. In his statement, Ban noted that:

Both sides must seize the current window of opportunity to push the peace process forward, especially by acting on their obligations under the Road Map.

Some actions have already been taken. The Palestinian Authority under Prime Minister Fayyad has acted to improve its security capabilities and to implement fiscal reform. Israel has agreed to remove some of the obstacles that hinder Palestinian movement in the West Bank. It has also consented to the issuance of entry permits to Israel for thousands of Palestinian workers.

These are welcome steps. But much more remains needs to be done. Continuing settlement activity contravenes both international law and Israel's obligations under the Road Map.