MOSCOW, July 5. /TASS/. Russia calls on Israel to stop its settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territories, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Moscow is seriously worried over new settlement projects in occupied Palestinian territories," the ministry said. "We once again reiterate that such unilateral activities should be condemned and are to be stopped to preserve perspectives for a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem and create conditions for the resumption of peace talks."

 "Such settlements are illegal under the international law and are not recognized by the international community," the ministry said.

Israel’s settlement activity plans "run counter to the report of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators [Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations] that was made public on July 1," the Russian foreign ministry stressed. "Along with inadmissibility of violence and incitement to violence, the report strongly recommends to stop construction and expansion of settlements on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem."

According to the Russian foreign ministry, the Israeli authorities have approved the construction of about 800 houses in settlements on the West Bank of the River Jordan, including about 240 houses in East Jerusalem.