The White House Monday reiterated its opposition to Israeli settlement activity and East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) construction after Israel announced Friday that it would build 3,000 new homes in the West Bank. “We oppose all unilateral actions, including settlement activity and housing construction, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations, and this includes building in the so-called E1 area," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters. “We have made clear to the Israeli government that such action is contrary to U.S. policy, opposing unilateral action, including settlement activity and housing construction in East Jerusalem (Al-Quds). And we in the international community expect all parties to play a constructive role in efforts to achieve peace," Carney said. “We urge Israeli leaders to reconsider these unilateral decisions and to exercise restraint as these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations to achieve a two-state solution," Carney said.
