UN Secretary General Ban Ki- moon has said Israeli settlement activities in east Jerusalem are illegal and against the international law. In a speech at the opening session of the 22nd Arab Summit, the UN chief said the significance of Jerusalem should be respected as a capital for both Israel and the envisaged Palestinian state.<br/><br/>He also urged the Arabs to support proximity talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis to lead to direct negotiations between the two sides to end the conflict. The UN Chief expressed his concern of the recent Israeli escalation in the besieged Gaza Strip.