Ban is also "worried at the trajectory of developments" between Israel and the Palestinians and called on both to "refrain from provocations," said his spokesman Martin Nesirky.
Ban said on Tuesday that he has discussed the UNESCO vote, strongly opposed by Israel and the United States, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other international leaders.
The membership vote was part of a Palestinian campaign for greater international recognition as the leadership becomes increasingly frustrated at the deadlock in peace talks.
"The secretary general is deeply concerned at the decisions announced by the government of Israel in response" to the vote by UNESCO`s General Conference to allow Palestinian membership," Nesirky said.
Ban highlighted the UN view that Israeli settlement activity breaches international law and the roadmap to peace set out by the diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East -- the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations.
"The secretary general calls on the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity and to continue to transfer VAT and customs revenues that belong to the Palestinian Authority and are essential to enable it to function, in line with Israel`s obligations," the spokesman said.
Ban "is worried at the trajectory of developments between Israel and the Palestinians and calls on the parties to act responsibly and seriously for peace.
"He calls on both parties to refrain from provocations and work with the Quartet towards serious proposals on borders and security in the coming three months, in the context of a shared commitment to resume direct negotiations."
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas made his application for full UN membership on September 23 and it is now being considered by the UN Security Council where the United States has vowed to use its veto right to block the move.
On the same day, the Quartet launched a new initiative to get the Israelis and Palestinians back into negotiations, which have been frozen since September 2010. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
