U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called the continuous Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank “an affront to the Palestinian people and to the international community.” Mr Ban has called for a freeze on settlement activity by Israel to give peace with the Palestinians and a two state solution a chance. Aljazeera reports: Addressing the U.N. Security Council’s periodic Middle East debate, Ban Ki-moon also urged both sides to act now “to prevent the two-state solution from slipping away forever.” He condemned rocket fire from armed groups in Gaza into Israel but focused his strongest comments on Israel’s settlement-building. “As oppressed peoples have demonstrated throughout the ages, it is human nature to react to occupation,” the U.N. chief said. Israel has occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and other Palestinian territories since the Six Day War in 1967. Palestinians demand the territory as part of their future state. However, Israeli settlements constructed on seized lands have hindered peace negotiations and the formation of a viable Palestinian state. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. Specifically, U.N. Security Council Resolution 446 states: “The policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have [...]