<p>"It is deeply regrettable that growing international concern at unilateral expansion of illegal Israeli settlements is not being heeded," Ban said in a statement. "Such actions seriously prejudice the possibility of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."<br /></p>.<p><br />He called for Israel "to take whatever steps are necessary to freeze settlement activity anywhere in occupied territory".<br /><br />The Israeli government has rejected international criticism, saying that it is within the rights of Jewish people to buy and develop private property. The Shephard Hotel is situated in Palestinian-occupied East Jerusalem.</p>
<p>"It is deeply regrettable that growing international concern at unilateral expansion of illegal Israeli settlements is not being heeded," Ban said in a statement. "Such actions seriously prejudice the possibility of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."<br /></p>.<p><br />He called for Israel "to take whatever steps are necessary to freeze settlement activity anywhere in occupied territory".<br /><br />The Israeli government has rejected international criticism, saying that it is within the rights of Jewish people to buy and develop private property. The Shephard Hotel is situated in Palestinian-occupied East Jerusalem.</p>