U.S., Britain, France object to Israeli housing projects in West Bank Right-wing Israelis visit the illegal Jewish settlement outpost Sussya, near Hebron, to show their support for the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, October 19, 2012. UPI/Debbie Hill LONDON, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department said it opposes any unilateral action, including Israeli housing construction plans in the West Bank, as harmful to the peace process. "The United States opposes all unilateral actions, including West Bank settlement activity and housing construction in East Jerusalem, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations, and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations," a State Department statement issued Monday said. This includes building in the E-1 area as this area is particularly sensitive and construction there would be especially damaging to efforts to achieve a two-state solution. Israel's ambassadors were summoned to British and French foreign ministries to hear disapproval of Israeli plans to build new settlements in the West Bank. Israel was told that its construction activity in the West Bank "is contrary to U.S. policy," the State Department statement said. "The United States and the international community expect all parties to play a constructive role in efforts to achieve peace," the statement said. We urge the parties to cease unilateral actions and take concrete steps to return to direct negotiations so all the issues can be discussed and the goal of two states living side by side in peace and security can be realized. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed "grave concern and disappointment" with Israel's decision, the United Nations said in a release. "This would include reported planning in the so-called E-1 envelope, which risks completely cutting off East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank," a representative for Ban said in a statement. "Settlements are illegal under international law and," the representative said. Should the E-1 settlement be constructed, it would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution. The construction is Israel's response to a U.N. General Assembly vote last week granting permanent observer status to the Palestinian Authority, approved in the U.N. vote by Israel's European allies but opposed by the United States.