The White House isn't relenting in its strong criticism of Israel for plans to build 1,600 new apartments for Jews in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians are seeking as their future capital.
Israel announced the construction plans this past week just as Vice President Joe Biden was visiting the region.
President Barack Obama's chief political adviser says the Israelis' action was both an "affront" and an "insult." David Axelrod tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that the move undermines the fragile effort to bring peace to the troubled region. He says the timing of the announcement was "very destructive."
Both Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have condemned the move. But Israel's government has given no indication it would cancel the project.
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