Israel's housing construction in East Jerusalem suburb hinders talks with Palestinians - Russian Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. May 8 (Interfax-AVN) - The continued construction of settlements in a suburb of East Jerusalem by Israel would have a negative effect on efforts to resume sustainable negotiations between Israel and Palestine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
The Israeli authorities have approved the construction of about 900 houses in the community of Ramat-Shlomo outside East Jerusalem, which is located on the West Bank occupied by Israel, it said.
"Moscow confirms Russia's principled position based on relevant decisions by the international community that Israel's settlement activity on Palestinian territories is unlawful. We believe this step would have a negative effect on efforts to provide conditions for resuming a sustainable negotiating process between the parties," the Foreign Ministry said.