PARIS - The Middle East Quartet expressed concern Monday about the contested Israeli plan to launch a construction project in a Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem.
The group that includes the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia met alongside the Palestinian donor conference in Paris, in which the international community pledged to help save the faltering Palestinian economy with $7.4 billion in donations.
The language of a statement issued by the group was unusually sharp and expressed the Quartet's "concern over the announcement of new housing tenders for Har Homa."
"Principals called for all sides to refrain from steps that undermine confidence and underscored the importance of avoiding any actions that could prejudice the outcome of permanent status negotiations," it said.
Two weeks ago Israel said it had invited bids to build 300 new housing units in the Har Homa neighborhood.
The quartet also called for the removal of restrictions on Palestinian movement, in order to encourage the development of the economy.
"(The quartet) expressed urgent concern over the continued closure of major crossing-points, given their impact on the Palestinian economy and daily life," the statement said.
The group also called for Palestinians to curb terror attacks against Israel.
The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amada (the current EU presidency holder) and EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
AFP contributed to this report
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