EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was “deeply concerned” by the latest Israeli decisions to expedite settlement activities in response to Palestinian accession to UNESCO.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called on Israel "to reverse this decision and call on both sides to continue their engagement with the Quartet on advancing peace efforts."
"Israeli settlement activity is illegal under international law including in East Jerusalem and an obstacle to peace. We have stated this many times before," she said.
Israel announced Wednesday its decision to build 2,000 additional housing units beyond the pre-1967 border in Jerusalem after Palestinians won full membership from UNESCO.
Israel will also withheld 100 million dollars in tax funds from the Palestinian Authority.