Catherine Ashton said the timing of the decision was particularly regrettable, since it undermines the international community’s recent attempts to reestablish trust between the sides.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned Israel's approval of 900 new housing units in East Jerusalem, AFP reported on Friday, saying the new move damaged Israel's prospects for peace.
The housing project will expand the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa which is within what is defined as Jerusalem’s city limits, but is directly adjacent to the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.
"The European Union has repeatedly urged the government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. All settlement activities are illegal under international law,” AFP quoted Ashton as saying in a statement.
"Continued settlement undermines trust between the parties and efforts to resume negotiations. This is especially true with regard to Jerusalem.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/eu-slams-israel-s-decision-to-build-new-east-jerusalem-housing-project-1.377216