UNITED NATIONS, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has deplored Tuesday's decision by Israel to expand an East Jerusalem settlement.

Israeli authorities on Tuesday authorized the construction of 900 additional housing units for Jewish families in the Gilo settlement - a move condemned even by Israel's ally United States.

Ban said Gilo was built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his position that settlements are illegal, and calls on Israel to respect its commitments under the Road Map [a peace plan for Israel and Palestinians] to cease all settlement activity, including natural growth," a statement issued by Ban's spokesman said.

"He believes that such actions undermine efforts for peace and cast doubt on the viability of the two-State solution," the statement said.