The Middle East diplomatic Quartet on Friday condemned Israel's decision to approve the construction of 1,600 new homes in occupied East Jerusalem (Al-Quds). The diplomatic group-which comprises the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia-issued a statement saying it “condemns the decision to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem.” “The Quartet re-affirms that unilateral actions taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of the negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community,” the statement said. Senior Quartet representatives are meeting in Moscow next Friday, and the statement said the group will “take full stock of the situation” then.
