Moscow expressed deep concern Wednesday over Israel's plan to build a large number of new housing complexes on the West Bank.

On Tuesday, Tel Aviv announced plans to build 900 new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, where 40,000 Israelis already live.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the plan could stymie the Middle East peace process and that it hoped Israeli authorities would review the plan.

"Such actions... are unacceptable, especially at the present - extremely sensitive and crucial - moment, when all efforts are focused on restoring Palestinian-Israeli dialogue," the ministry said.

The White House has expressed exasperation with the Israeli plan at a time when President Barack Obama has been trying to broker a Middle East peace agreement.

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu's office stood by the plan. "This concerns a routine procedure of the district planning commission. The neighborhood of Gilo is an integral part of Jerusalem," his office said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly denounced the plan, calling it a blatant expansion of settlement.

A spokesman said Ban "believes that such actions undermine efforts for peace and cast doubt on the viability of the two-state solution."

The decision has stirred anger among Palestinians, who have repeatedly called for a complete freeze on new construction before any new round of talks.

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti)