The United States has criticised Israel over its recent decision to build new settlements in East Jerusalem. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone that the move is "deeply negative" for US-Israeli relations. Israel's announcement overshadowed a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden aimed at restarting peace talks.<br/>Since then the Palestinians have indicated they will not return to the negotiating table unless the Israeli decision is revoked. The Quartet of West Assia peace mediators – the US, Russia, the EU and the UN – also condemned the Israeli housing announcement and said it would review the situation at its ministerial meeting scheduled for 19th of this month in Moscow.