NEW YORK, November 23, 2011 (WAFA) – United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, Tuesday appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately resume the transfer of Palestinian tax and customs revenues to the Palestinian Authority, according to Ban’s spokesman, Martin Nesirky.

Nesirky’s website released a readout of Ban’s telephone conversation with Netanyahu, in which the Secretary-General “appealed to immediately resume the transfer of Palestinian tax and customs revenues, in line with Israel's legal obligations.”

Ban also expressed his “deep concern about Israel's announcement of further settlement expansions, including in East Jerusalem, which undermine current peace efforts and violate international law.”

He stressed the need to de-escalate the current situation, so as to create an environment conducive to the resumption of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Ban also welcomed Israel's approval of new UN construction projects worth US$5.5 million in Gaza, while calling for further measures towards lifting the closure, in line with Security Council resolution 1860.

Israel continues to withhold more than $100 million in tax revenues that it collects monthly on goods imported by Palestinians and entering through its ports, in a punitive measure after Palestine won its UNESCO membership and the Palestinians resumed the discussion of internal reconciliation plans.

R.Q./F.J.