The Quartet for the Middle East has called on Israel to immediately end its building programme in Jewish settlements in occupied territory. The Israelis must also stop the eviction of Palestinians and the demolition of their homes in East Jerusalem.

The Quartet, made up of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, is meeting in the Russian capital Moscow to discuss the Middle East.

Israel's recent announcement to build 1600 homes in East Jerusalem topped the agenda.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the matter on Thursday evening. In spite of saying it was a good talk, she condemned the proposal.

On Thursday, Israeli planes carried out reprisals for a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip which killed a Thai farm worker. Two people were slightly hurt in the Israeli attacks.