The U.S.has also pledged an additional $10 million for the construction of five new UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip.

VOA: standard.2010.06.17

A Commerce Department report showing that new home construction fell to an eight-month low in June - only added to the unease.

VOA: standard.2010.07.20

The Palestinians say they are hoping for an announcement that Washington will step up the pressure on Israel to halt construction in the settlements.

VOA: standard.2009.09.07

The United States is pushing Israel to freeze settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, an issue that has soured relations between the two countries.

VOA: standard.2009.09.12

"Let us settle it, expand and love our homeland." Mr.Netanyahu reluctantly imposed a partial freeze on West Bank construction under pressure from the United States, which sees the settlements as an obstacle to peace.

VOA: standard.2010.01.03

Mr.Netanyahu has been a strong supporter of Jewish settlement in all of the biblical land of Israel, but he imposed the construction freeze last month after urging from the United States, which sees the settlements as an obstacle to peace.

VOA: standard.2009.12.10

U.S.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton comes to Cairo after angering many Arabs by offering praise for an Israeli offer to curb settlement expansion on occupied Palestinian land, an offer that was met with outrage by many Arabs, who continue to demand Israel halt all construction.

VOA: standard.2009.11.03