“We regard Washington’s decision as another step aimed at scrapping the international legal framework for a Middle East settlement, which will exacerbate the already tense situation in Palestinian-Israeli relations,” the agency’s commentary says.
Diplomats reaffirmed the position of Russia, according to which the creation of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 does not have legal force.
They also called on all parties to refrain from steps that could provoke a new escalation.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Washington no longer considers Israel’s construction of settlements on the West Bank as a violation of international law. Israeli authorities welcomed this decision.