U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticised on Wednesday Israel's plans to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes in Arab East Jerusalem as a violation of its international obligations.

"Clearly this kind of activity is unhelpful and not in keeping with the obligations entered into under the 'road map'," Clinton said, referring to the long-stalled peace plan.

"It is an issue that we intend to raise with the government of Israel and the government at the municipal level in Jerusalem," she added at a joint news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel said more than 80 homes slated for demolition were built without permits. Palestinians say permits were nearly impossible to obtain.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem its "eternal and united capital" but has not won international recognition of its claim.

Abbas's Palestinian Authority says it wants East Jerusalem as the capital of the state it hopes to establish in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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