The United States has criticised Israel in unusually direct terms after it revealed plans to build 50 new settler homes in the West Bank.
"We will be seeking clarification from the government of Israel," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. "Israel should not be expanding settlements."
White House spokesman Scott McClellan
Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment on the renewed US demand, which followed a rare public airing of differences between President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a Texas summit over a US-sponsored "road map" to peace with the Palestinians.
"Prime Minister Sharon reiterated his commitment to the 'road map' just last week in Crawford, [Texas] and his commitment to the president's two-state vision," McClellan said. "The road map has obligations for both parties."
Mr McClellan said Israel should halt settlement expansion but echoed Mr Sharon's chief concern by reiterating Mr Bush's call for Palestinian leaders "to dismantle terrorist organisations".
Mr Sharon has insisted Israel can keep building in existing settlements in the occupied West Bank. He seems to have been emboldened by Mr Bush's reaffirmation that Israel should be able to keep some West Bank settlement blocs under any final peace deal.
Palestinians, who want all of the West Bank and Gaza for a future state, welcomed the White House swipe at Israel, saying settlement construction threatened peace moves.
Mr Sharon has indicated his intention to delay the pullout until August out of respect for a Jewish mourning period marking the destruction of two Biblical temples in Jerusalem.