"We totally and strongly condemn and reject the Israeli decision," said Saeb Erekat, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee.

An Israeli ministerial committee approved the construction late Saturday.

"Achieving peace and stability for all requires ending the Israeli occupation," Erekat said.

Erekat said the Palestinians are holding high-level contacts with the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators, asking them to stop the recent Israeli approvals.