US "disappointed" by Israels settlement plans in East Jerusalem

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- The United States expressed on Friday "disappointment" in the decision of the Israeli government to build further settlements in East Jerusalem and urged Israelis and Palestinians to resume direct negotiations.
"We were disappointed by the announcement of new tenders in East Jerusalem yesterday. It is contrary to our efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties", said assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy Philip Crowley in a press briefing.
"We will continue to work, as we have, to try to create conditions for direct negotiations to resume", he added.
The Israeli Housing Ministry announced plans to build 238 homes in East Jerusalem, despite opposition from the United States and Palestinians.
Crowley noted that the Israeli side informed the US administration about the building plans ahead of time.
"We told them we felt this was contrary to what we were trying to do to get direct negotiations resumed ... the government of Israel is well aware of our concerns about this", he added.
The 10-month building moratorium in the West Bank expired last month, the Israeli government refused to extend it and the Palestinians suspended peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Arab League said it will ask the United Nations next month to recognize a Palestinian state.
"We continue to promote direct negotiations as the best way to resolve to conflict and see the emergence of a Palestinian state that meets the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and security and stability for Israel and the rest of the region", said Crowley.
"There are critical issues involved in this process. They need to be negotiated between the parties. And we oppose unilateral steps on either side", he added.
Asked if the United States would veto such resolution, Crowley replied "we are doing what we think is the best way to end this conflict, and that is our position. As to how we will vote, obviously, that is a hypothetical question".
"We are doing everything in our power, and we are making clear to the parties that we want to see this direct negotiation continue. So we are not focused on what happens if; we are focused on how can we create the conditions that allow the parties to continue", he added.
US envoy George Mitchell was expected to travel to the region but Crowley said the US administration is "still evaluating what the appropriate next steps are".
"We believe it is in their interest to continue in this process, because otherwise there is no other avenue to create a state that the Palestinians deserve and the security and stability that the Israelis deserve", he concluded. (end) jm.bs KUNA 152232 Oct 10NNNN