The EU criticized on Monday Israel’s decision to list shrines in Bethlehem and Hebron as national heritage sites.

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, the EU’s high representative for Foreign Affairs and security policy said in a statement, "The High Representative regards the recent decision by the Government of Israel to add sites in Hebron and Bethlehem to the list of Israeli national heritage sites as detrimental to attempts to relaunch peace negotiations.”

“The European Union calls on Israel to refrain from provocative acts,” the statement added.

Under pressure from settlers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, among other West Bank sites, to a list of heritage sites slated for renovation.

The decision to lay claim to sites in Palestinian territory sparked Palestinian demonstrations and international criticism.

Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to the UN, speaking on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), also condemned the "illegality and illegitimacy" of the Israeli decision, as quoted by Al-Jazeera.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner called the heritage site list on Friday a "provocation" and an obstacle to peace.

Also on Friday, Irina Bokova, director-general of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), endorsed voiced concern about the heritage list.

She said the sites were “of historical and religious significance not only to Judaism but also to Islam, and to Christianity as well.”