Russia calls on Israel to halt construction on West Bank

Russia is concerned about Israel's intentions to build new settlements on the West Bank and calls on the Israeli side to stop any construction there since it has a negative impact on efforts to resume negotiations, Foreign Ministry of Russia said today.

"Such news are always perceived in Moscow with great concern ... We believe that all Israeli settlements established on the West Bank and East Jerusalem, are illegal and all construction works should be stopped," – RIA-Novosti quotes the statement of the ministry.

Earlier, the Israeli authorities decided to develop a network of Jewish settlements on the West Bank, populated by about 300,000 Israelis. The Israeli High Court of Justice declared illegal tje construction of five houses in the settlement of Beit El and ordered do demolish the buildings which are home to 30 families before July 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said that a housing for 300 more families will be build in Beit El thus neglecting the court order.