MOSCOW, August 8 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is calling on Israel to immediately stop building Jewish settlements on Palestinian territories as it is frustrating the Middle East peace process, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Israel is continuing to ignore international criticism and Palestinian protests and is moving ahead with the construction of housing for thousands of Jewish families in the West Bank and Jerusalem's eastern quarters, which, from the viewpoint of international law, are considered occupied territories.

"According to incoming information, the Israeli Interior Ministry has announced a tender to build 317 housing units in the West Bank and 130 in East Jerusalem. It is also noted that a plan to build 400 residential buildings in another district of East Jerusalem has been approved," the Russian ministry said.

The Russian ministry said Russia proceeds from the assumption that "Palestinians and Israelis should not take any action that clearly contradicts their obligations."