RAMALLAH, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday evening called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in an effort to halt Israel's expansion of settlements in Jerusalem.
Nabil Abu Rdineh, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in an official press statement run by Wafa news agency that President Abbas requested holding an emergency session for the UN Security Council.
"The demand is to debate and discuss stopping the serious assaults that Israel carries out in Jerusalem and the violations against the holy site of al-Aqsa Mosque," said Abu Rdineh.
Palestinians are calling on the Security Council to act immediately to prevent the new wave of settlement construction approved by the Israeli government.
"This wave of settlement is seriously threatening the entire peace process," said Abu Rdineh.
On Sunday night, Israeli Radio reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Economy Naftali Benet approved a project for building up to 2,000 new housing units in the West Bank settlements.
The move has largely been condemned by the international community. Last week, the European Union (EU) demarcated "red lines" for Israel regarding its settlement policy in the West Bank, warning Israel not to make moves that would jeopardize the creation of a Palestinian state.
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