Israel should freeze all settlement activity in Palestinian territories, including the areas where construction is conducted due to natural population growth of Israel, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at a meeting of the Middle East Quartet in Moscow, "Russia 24" TV channel reported.
"Israel and Palestine must act within the international law. We consider it a very important step to start indirect talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, which must lead to direct negotiations during 24 months", Ban Ki-moon said.
He said that Israel must facilitate the movement on the West Bank, and assist the Palestinian Authority in the formation of institutions for a future Palestinian state.
Ban Ki-moon, calling on Israel to halt all settlement activity in Palestinian territories, applied to Palestine and Israel to act within the international law.