US secretary of state John Kerry has said that Israel's announcement of new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem "were to some degree expected," and urged Israelis and Palestinians to move head with peace talks due to resume tomorrow.
“What this underscores is the importance of getting to the table, getting to the table quickly” and resolving disputes over settlements and other issues, said Mr Kerry last night.
He added that he had spoken yesterday with Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni and had called Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is recovering from surgery.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said: “Those who do these things are determined to undermine the peace negotiations, are determined to force people like us to leave the negotiating table.”
Israel’s housing minister on Sunday approved plans for 1,200 new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim as part of their state.
"The United States of America views all of the settlements as illegitimate," said Mr Kerry, who was on a visit to Colombia.
Mark Regev, a spokesman for Mr Netanyahu, said the new construction would take place in areas that Israel intends to keep in any peace agreement.
“This in no way changes the final map of peace. It changes nothing,” he said.
Some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem amid 2.5 million Palestinians.
Agencies