The United States urged Israel on Monday to reverse its latest plan to seize 988 acres (400 hectares) of Palestinian land in the Bethlehem area of the occupied West Bank.
"This announcement, like every other settlement announcement Israel makes, planning step they approve, and construction tender they issue, is counterproductive to Israel's stated goal of a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians," a State Department official said. "We urge the government of Israel to reverse this decision."