US challenges Israel on new West Bank settlement

Israel's plan to construct a new settlement on the West Bank drew rare criticism Wednesday from the United States. If Israel goes ahead, it would violate Israel's obligations under the road map for peacemaking, a State Department spokesman said. "The US calls on Israel to meet its road map obligations and avoid taking steps that could be viewed as predetermining the outcome of future negotiations," the spokesman, Golzalo R. Gallegos, said.