An Israeli boy holds his national flag during a protest near the biggest Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, on September 7, 2009 to urge the government to resist U.S. pressure and build new settlement neighborhoods. (Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Image)
"Such actions and all settlement activity are contrary to international law and the roadmap," said a statement read out by U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq.
The 2003 Middle East roadmap drawn up by international mediators calls on Israel to halt settlement expansion in the West Bank and for the Palestinians to rein in militants.
Ban reiterated U.N. appeals to Israel to "stop all settlement activity, including natural growth" and respond positively to efforts to create conditions for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Israel approved Monday the building of 455 settler homes, a move opposed by its ally Washington and by Palestinians but which may pave the way for a construction moratorium sought by the United States.
