The United Nations on Tuesday expressed worry over Israel's approval of another 1,100 homes for Israeli settlers in east Jerusalem.
The decision by Israeli authorities is of "particular concern," UN Under Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe told a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
"We have repeatedly stated that settlement activity is illegal and contrary to Israel's roadmap commitments," he added.
The United Nations is part of the diplomatic “Quartet” on the Middle East - along with the United States, Russia and the European Union - which has been backing a roadmap for Israeli-Palestinian peace for several years.
When Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas lodged his application for membership in the United Nations last Friday, the Quartet launched a new bid to renew frozen Israeli-Palestinian talks, setting out a new timetable for an accord.
"Resuming negotiations and making progress is easier said than done," Pascoe told the 15-nation council.
"We hope that, whatever their reservations, each side now engages towards the preparatory meeting envisaged by the Quartet," he added.
The Palestinian leadership said that Israel's approval of 1,100 new homes in east Jerusalem, announced by Israel’s interior ministry on Tuesday, constituted a rejection of the Quartet’s proposal for new peace talks.
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