US, Israel differ on settlements

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Play VideoObama urges Israel to stop settlement expansion

Israel says it will press ahead with the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Thursday's announcement came despite US demands to stop to all new building.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it clear that her country wants a halt to all settlement construction, including so-called "natural growth."

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State said "Not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth exceptions... That is our position. That is what we have communicated very clearly, not only to the Israelis but to the Palestinians and others, and we intend to press that point."

The Israeli government responded, saying that the fate of existing settlements would be determined in negotiations with the Palestinians, and construction would continue in those settlements.

Mark Regev, Israeli Prime Minister's Spokesman said "We will not build new settlements and we'll be taking down unauthorized outposts. As to existing settlements, it's clear their status will be determined in negotiations between us and the Palestinians. In the interim period, normal life in those communities should continue."

Palestinian Housing Minister Mohammed Shataih says Clinton's announcement was "an important statement," but it was "not enough."

The disagreement with Washington comes on the day US President Barack Obama was meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House.

More than 280,000 Jewish settlers have occupied land among more than two million Palestinians in the West Bank.