WASHINGTON, September 28, 2011 (WAFA) - The US is “surprised and deeply disappointed” in the Israeli government's decision to build 1100 new settlement units in East Jerusalem, said US Department of State spokesperson Victoria Nuland on Tuesday.

Nuland described the Israeli housing action as “counterproductive” to US efforts to resume direct negotiations between the parties, and urged both parties to avoid actions, including those in Jerusalem, which could undermine trust.

Regarding the Israeli decision’s aftermath on the Palestinian return to negotiations and the Palestinian application to gain full United Nations membership of a Palestinian state, Nuland said, “It’s [the Israeli decision] counterproductive, but it doesn’t change that fact that if we want a Palestinian state, as we all do, living in peace next to Israel, that can only come through negotiations.”

“We’ll continue to work with the parties to try to resume direct negotiations,” she added.

R.Q./F.J.