No USSA comment on Israeli expansion

Israeli settlement

US has declined to comment specifically on Israeli plans to expand a settlement in the occupied Jordan Valley but says that in general such talk was not helpful.

"We don't think talk of additional settlements is helpful. I don't know about that particular settlement," said White House spokesperson Dana Perino.

"We have said that it's not helpful; it doesn't inspire confidence when the Palestinians and the Israelis are trying to work together on a two-state solution," she added.

Earlier, a senior Israeli defense ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity that Israel would expand the settlement, in defiance of Palestinian and international calls to freeze such activity.

The international community has repeatedly urged Israel to freeze all settlement activity in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, saying it hampers efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians. PressTV