The European Union has denounced Israel’s illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories as "unacceptable."

"Settlements are illegal under international law. These decisions should be reversed," EU Foreign Affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement released overnight Saturday, AFP reported.

She made the remarks after Tel Aviv planned to proceed with 2,610 new settlement units in Givat Hamatos.

Last week, Israel’s Lands Administration released a plan to construct new units, two-thirds of which are designated for Israeli settlers in Givat Hamatos to create a settlement belt around East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

"The proposed constructions in Givat Hamatos are of particular concern as they would cut the geographic contiguity between Jerusalem and Bethlehem," Ashton argued.

Israel is carrying out settlement activities in the occupied territories, especially in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), despite international calls to stop such activities.

In September 2010, acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas quit direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Tel Aviv refused to halt settlement projects.

(Press TV)