ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) has condemned Israel's illegal settlement activity in East Jerusalem and West Bank.

"We strongly condemn the decision of Israel which will press ahead with plans to build 1,500 more illegal settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem," said the statement issued by the ministry.

The statement also said that the solution between Palestinians and Israelis could be reached only by avoiding such deeds. 

Settlement building in the territories occupied by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War is considered illegal under international law, and the issue remains one of the most divisive in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel withdrew in 2005 from the Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas Movement.

Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now said last week that housing starts in West Bank settlement are up by 70 percent this year.

It said there were 1,708 housing starts in January-June this year, compared with 995 during the same period in 2012.

englishnews@aa.com.tr