US says Israel's settlement move 'counterproductive'
The United States said on Tuesday that Israel's decision to approve construction of 1,100 homes for Jews on annexed land in the West Bank was "counterproductive" and urged both Israel and the Palestinians not to take steps which could complicate resumption of direct peace talks.
"We are deeply disappointed by this morning's announcement by the government of Israel," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. (Reuters)
