The European Union is "deeply disappointed" by Israel's decision to issue tenders for 336 new homes in two West Bank settlements, an EU spokeswoman said Tuesday.
"We reiterate that the EU considers that settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law, undermine trust between the parties and constitute an obstacle to peace," said Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
"These actions run counter to the repeated efforts of the international community to achieving a peaceful solution to the conflict that will preserve Israels security and realize the Palestinians' right to statehood," she said.
The Israeli ministry of construction and housing said Monday it would soon issue tenders for 294 homes in Beitar-Illit and 42 others in Karnei Shomron, two Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Beitar Illit is south of Jerusalem, while Karnei Shomron lies 15 kilometres (nine miles) west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.