The United States has accused Israel of a betrayal of trust over its plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes deep in the occupied West Bank.
In unusually strong statements on Wednesday, the White House and State Department lashed out at a proposal announced last week to build as many as 300 housing units and establish an industrial zone in Palestinian territory.
"The actions of the Israeli government in announcing this settlement undermine the pursuit of peace," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
He added that the US had received public assurances from the Israeli government that contradicted the settlement announcement.
"I guess, when we're talking about how good friends treat one another, that is a source of serious concern as well," he said.
Military aid deal
The US signed a record $38bn deal to provide Israel with military assistance over a 10-year period last month - the largest such agreement ever by the US with any country.
At the State Department, spokesman Mark Toner said moving ahead with the settlement project would be "another step towards cementing a one-state reality of perpetual occupation that is fundamentally inconsistent with Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state".
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