UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – The Middle East diplomatic Quartet on Friday issued a rare condemnation of Israel for its plans to build new settler homes, warning that unilateral actions would not be recognized by the world community.

The group -- the European Union, the United States, Russia, and the United Nations -- “condemns Israel’s decision to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem.’’

“The Quartet reaffirms that unilateral actions taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community,’’ it added in a statement. Separately, Washington also sharpy rebuked its close ally, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the latest Israeli move was “a deeply negative signal about Israel’s approach to the bilateral relationship.’’

The Jewish state announced Tuesday during a landmark visit by US Vice President Joe Biden that 1,600 new settler homes would be built in predominantly Arab east Jerusalem.

The announcement angered Arab and Palestinian leaders, just as fledgling indirect talks appeared to have been coaxed back to life by the United States. It was also criticized by both the European Union and the United Nations, which reiterated that all settlements are “illegal.’’

Russia called the move “unacceptable’’ and Britain said it would “give strength to those who argue that Israel is not serious about peace.’’

In its statement, the Quartet said it had agreed to closely monitor developments in Jerusalem and to keep under consideration “additional steps that may be required to address the situation on the ground.’’ It reiterated that Arab-Israeli peace and the creation of “an independent, contiguous and viable state of Palestine is in the fundamental interests of the parties, of all states in the region, and of the international community.’’

It appealed to all concerned to back the urgent resumption of dialogue between the parties and to promote an atmosphere conducive to successful negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the status of Jerusalem.

The issue will be discussed at a ministerial session of the grouping scheduled for March 19 in Moscow, to be attended by Clinton. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state.

Israel, which seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community, considers the city its eternal and indivisible capital. UN chief Ban Ki-moon, who Tuesday also slammed Israel’s plan for new settlement homes, conferred with Clinton at UN headquarters Friday and praised her efforts to revive the peace process.

“I really appreciate your leadership to enable this Middle East peace process to resume through indirect proximity talks,’’ the secretary general told Clinton, who was here to speak at an international women’s conference.

Ban also said he looked forward to joining Clinton in Moscow next week, saying the Quartet meeting “will provide a very important opportunity for us to work together for the peace process eventually leading to direct negotiations.’’ Immediately after attending the Moscow meeting, the UN chief is to tour the Gaza Strip, Israel and the West Bank.