US urges Israel, Palestinians to avoid unilateral moves

The White House urged Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday not to take unilateral actions that could undermine chances to renew long-stalled peace talks.

White House spokesman Jay Carney spoke after Israel's Interior Minister Eli Yishai gave final approval for a plan to build 1,600 homes in east Jerusalem, a project whose announcement last year during a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden caused a diplomatic rift with Washington. (Reuters)