Brussels, 23/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 February, the EU high representative for foreign affairs called on Israel to reverse its decision made that day to build hundreds of new housing units in the Shvut Rachel and Shilo settlements (West Bank), as well as the retrospective approval granted for housing units already built. Catherine Ashton “is deeply concerned by the approval” for this initiative and called on Israel to respect its obligations as part of the Quartet roadmap, which states that Israel should not only freeze all settlement activity, but also dismantle those settlements erected since March 2001. The spokesperson for the high representative pointed out the “settlements are illegal under international law” and it is “particularly important at this point that neither party in the Middle East peace process undertakes provocative actions which undermine the prospects for continuing the dialogue”. The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry, described the Israeli announcement as deplorable. (CG/transl.fl)