In a statement, the European Union said the announcement by the Israeli government on 24 January to build 2.500 settlement units across the West Bank, and the approval of building permits for 566 settlement units in East Jerusalem on 22 January ‘’further seriously undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution.’’

‘’It is regrettable that Israel is proceeding with this policy, despite the continuous serious international concern and objections, which have been constantly raised at all levels,’’ a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign affairs said.

‘’Continued settlement expansion, illegal under international law as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334, goes directly against long-standing EU policy and the recommendations of the Quartet Report,’’ the spokesperson added.

‘’A negotiated two-state solution is the only way to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of both parties and to achieve enduring peace,’’ the statement said.

In Washington, responding to Question on Settlement Building, White House Spokesman Sean Spicer said US President Donald Trump “wants to grow closer with Israel and make sure that it gets the full respect that it deserves in the Middle East.”

In response to a question from a reporter about Israel’s approval on Tuesday of 2,500 new housing units in the West Bank, Spicer said, “Israel continues to be a huge ally of the United States…We’re going to have a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu and we will continue to discuss that.”

Pressed further by the reporter on the matter, Spicer replied, “We’ll have a conversation with the Prime Minister.”

Netanyahu has been invited by Trump to meet him in Washington next moth.

At his first official press briefing on Monday, Spicer was non-committal about the timeline for a potential move of the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“There’s no decision, we’re at the very early stages of that decision-making process,” he said.