The French EU Presidency issued a statement on Saturday saying it is "deeply concerned by the decision by the Israeli authorities to approve the construction" of 400 more housing units in East al-Quds.

"The construction of settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem [al-Quds], is illegal under international law," the statement read.

"This decision serves to undermine the credibility of the ongoing peace process," it added.

"Settlement activities prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations and compromise the viability of a concerted two-state solution."

Israeli Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that a committee had approved a plan first introduced in March to put up 400 housing units in Neve Yaakov neighborhood, in predominantly Arab East al-Quds.

Although Israel has committed not to establish new settlements in the West Bank, it has in recent months announced the construction of hundreds of new Jewish homes in the territory in breach of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Source: AJP