The United States has expressed dismay over the Israeli decision on expansion of settlement in Jerusalem and noted that it would make more difficult for them to succeed in their effort to find a permanent resolution of the dispute. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement that neither party should engage in efforts or take actions that could unilaterally pre-empt, negotiations. He said the US also objects to other Israeli practices in Jerusalem related to housing, including the continuing pattern of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes. Gibbs said the US position is clear that the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties.