White House spokesman says US condemns new Israeli settlements in disputed East Jerusalem

By AP
Tuesday, March 9, 2010

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White House condemns new E. Jerusalem settlements

WASHINGTON — The White House says the United States condemns Israel’s approval of 1,600 new settlement homes in disputed East Jerusalem.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday that Vice President Joe Biden, visiting Israel, would issue a detailed statement shortly. Gibbs says President Barack Obama’s position on the settlements is known by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Israel’s Interior Ministry approved the construction of 1,600 new homes for Jews in disputed east Jerusalem on Tuesday. Relations between Israel and the Obama administration have been chilly precisely because of the settlement issue.