The United States said Wednesday that it was "deeply concerned" about an Israeli decision to approve construction of 200 new homes in East Jerusalem. "We are deeply concerned by this decision, particularly given the tense situation in Jerusalem, as well as the unequivocal and unanimous position of the United States and others in the international community opposing such construction in east Jerusalem," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. Psaki said that the decision impedes attempts to reach a two-state solution in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. "These decisions to expand construction have the potential to exacerbate this difficult situation on the ground, and they will not contribute to efforts to reduce the tension. So we will certainly continue to emphasize privately, as I just said publicly, our concerns," Psaki said.
