Russian TV: The Russian Foreign Ministry is concerned over Israeli plans to build more homes in East Jerusalem as an impediment to resuming Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, says a report posted on the ministry Web site.
“Israeli homes built on occupied lands, including in East Jerusalem, poison the atmosphere of the already complex relations between Palestinians and Israelis, and create additional impediments to resuming substantive negotiations,” says a report posted on the ministry website on Friday.
Settlement construction on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem are illegal under international law, the ministry stressed, adding the construction calls into question the establishment of a viable Palestinian state and “must stop fully and immediately.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled his intention to dramatically boost Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.