07/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Ashton asks Israel to reconsider its decision to build new housing in settlements. On 7 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision to launch calls for tenders for 1,859 housing units - 828 in East Jerusalem and 1,031 in the West Bank. She criticised the Israeli authorities' announcement of this on 3 November. Reiterating “the EU's longstanding policy on settlements”, which are “illegal under international law”, Ashton again underlined that “any actions which could hamper or undermine the ongoing negotiations must be avoided”. “The EU has repeatedly stated that (…) bold and decisive leadership is needed for the current peace negotiations to succeed”, she said. Previously, on 30 October, Israel announced over 3,500 new housing units in the settlements. (CG/transl.fl)