The White House on Wednesday condemned Israeli plans to move ahead with the construction of roughly 2,500 settlement homes in East Jerusalem, saying U.S. officials were “deeply concerned” with a development that would distance Israel from it allies.
The construction “would send a very troubling message” to the international community, said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.
The U.S. has said that such settlements would undermine long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The details of the plan were released as Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Palestinians widely criticized the announcement of settlements at a time when the two groups are also at odds over the Israeli strikes against Hamas.
Israeli officials contend the timing of the announcement was not meant to coincide with Netanyahu’s trip to the White House, but the two leaders have repeatedly clashed on the issue.
Earnest said Obama brought up the matter with Netanyahu Wednesday but did not provide additional details.
It is not clear when construction on the settlement homes would begin.
