US Vice-President Joe Biden has stressed support for Israel despite his earlier condemnation of their plans to build on occupied land.
Speaking in an address to Tel Aviv University, Mr Biden said the East Jerusalem housing plans "undermined the trust required for productive negotiations".
He added: "Sometimes, only a friend can deliver the hardest truth".
The Palestinian Authority has said indirect talks with Israel will be "very difficult" if more homes are built as planned.
One-Minute World News 
Bookmark with:
What are these?
E-mail this to a friend