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U.S. "deeply concerned" by reported Israeli decision to build more settler homes

28 October 2014 03:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The United States is "deeply concerned" by reports that Israel would build more settler homes in east Jerusalem, the State Department said Monday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"Israel's leaders have said they would support a pathway to a two-state solution, but moving forward with this type of action would be incompatible with the pursuit of peace," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a regular briefing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to advance plans for 1,060 housing units in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, a source in the Prime Minister's Office confirmed to Xinhua on Monday.

Psaki said the U.S. embassy officials are engaging with the Israeli government on the issue.

"We continue to make our position absolutely clear that we view settlement activity as illegitimate and unequivocally opposed unilateral steps that prejudge the future of Jerusalem," Psaki said.

The spokeswoman, however, reaffirmed the strong relations between the U.S. and Israel, saying the ties are "unshakable."

"There are times when we disagree with actions of the Israeli government," she said. "It does not mean that we don't have a strong and formidable relationship that continues."