Jewish “settlements and the demolition of homes are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible,” Ashton warned in a statement.

The European Union’s High Representative stressed that the EU has never recognized Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem. “If there is to be genuine peace, a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states,” Ashton added.

The Palestinians reluctantly agreed to launch the indirect talks in May after months of shuttle diplomacy by US envoy George Mitchell, but said they would not move to direct talks without a complete Israeli settlement freeze. Ashton called on Israel “to refrain from measures which may undermine the ongoing (indirect) proximity talks,” where mediators shuttle between the two parties. “These talks enjoy our full support and the parties need to engage seriously in these negotiations,” the EU foreign affairs chief underlined.

Meanwhile, Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said  on Wednesday that Israeli authorities are conducting a series of excavations in the area of Umayyad palaces adjacent to the southern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The foundation said these excavations are taking place at night, especially in one of the water wells in the area that extends under Al-Aqsa Mosque, and are covered with tents and plastic sheets.

It added that the Israeli authorities are to build a biblical park on the site that will exclusively be for Jews and tourists. The foundation said that the excavation in the Umayyad palaces area has reached tens of meters.

It also warned that the use of huge machines for excavation in the area inflicts serious danger to the foundations of Al-Aqsa Mosque, noting that similar excavations, which were carried out in the past, led to cracks in the southern part of the mosque’s wall.

It stressed that these excavations are part of “an Israeli scheme to Judaize the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque from all sides and for Al-Aqsa Mosque to collapse to build the so-called second temple on its ruins.” The foundation described the Israeli move as “a theft and piracy against Islamic civilization and culture.”

Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, denounced the Israeli move. Speaking to Arab News, he said, “Israel, in accordance with international rules and treaties, is forbidden from excavation works and confiscating antiquities.” He also urged UNESCO to seek ways of returning stolen artifacts. In April, the Israeli authorities stole an Umayyad-era stone from the same area. The stone was then transferred to the courtyard of the Israeli Knesset. Israel rejected Palestinian calls to return the stone to Al-Aqsa Compound.                    

— With input from agencies