Russia's Foreign Ministry urged Israel on Tuesday to stop aggravating relations with Palestinian authorities and halt the construction at a recently demolished hotel in East Jerusalem.
The historic Shepherd Hotel located in the part of Jerusalem that the Palestinians claim as their future capital was pulled down on Sunday to begin the construction of 20 new apartments for Jews. The move has drawn international condemnation.
"The move was met with great concern in Moscow. We must say that in the [conditions of the] current complicated regional situation, this gives rise to additional tensions in Palestinian-Israeli relations and contradicts the positions of the mid-East Quartet," a statement issued on the website of the Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry also called on Israel to "ditch the realization of this project and refrain from moves which negatively affect international efforts to resume the peace process."
The construction by Israel in the Jewish settlements located on the West Bank of the River Jordan is regarded as the main obstacle to the possible resumption of peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti)
