TEL AVIV, July 19, 2009 (WAFA)- The United States has told Israel it must halt (occupied ) East Jerusalem construction project.

On Sunday Israeli radio stations reported: The United States has told Israel it must halt (occupied ) East Jerusalem construction project in accordance with the Obama administration's demands for a complete freeze on settlement building.

 
According to both Israel Radio and Army Radio: The State Department sent for  Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren over the weekend to advise him that the project developed by American millionaire Irving Moskowitz should not go ahead.

 
Moskowitz, an influential supporter of Israeli settlement in occupied East Jerusalem, purchased the Shepherd Hotel in 1985 and plans to tear it down and build housing units in its place.

In response, Oren told the State Department that Israeli construction in East Jerusalem was no different than in any other part of the country.