The United Nations' top Middle East envoy, Robert Serry, told a meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday that “illegal construction settlements continue,” Palestinian institutions remain closed, and homes belonging to Palestinians continue to be demolished in the West Bank. “We reiterate our call for an end to unilateral Israeli measures in Jerusalem (Al-Quds city) and an end to house demolitions,” Serry said. Serry also said the recent speech by Netanyahu acknowledging the need for an independent Palestinian state “represented a step forward,” but he criticized a number of “stringent” demands in Netanyahu's acceptance of a two-state solution.
