The United States on Tuesday expressed deep disappointment with Israel's plans to build 1,100 new housing units in annexed East Jerusalem, with State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland calling the approval of the settlements "counterproductive" to international efforts to restart direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. "We have long urged both parties to avoid actions which could undermine trust, including in Jerusalem, and will continue to work with the parties to try to resume direct negotiations," Nuland said.
