Netanyahu strikes back at criticism

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed publicly with President Barack Obama on Tuesday over Jewish construction in disputed East Jerusalem, throwing a teetering Mideast peace effort deeper in doubt.

 Responding to criticism from Obama, Netanyahu struck a defiant tone in commenting on Israeli plans to build 1,300 new units in East Jerusalem, saying his government had never agreed to limit construction in the city.

 “Jerusalem is not a settlement. It is the capital of the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Israel sees no connection between the diplomatic process and the planning and building policy in Jerusalem.”

 Netanyahu’s statement came hours after Obama warned that the new construction, announced by Israel on Monday, could harm a renewed Mideast peace process begun in early September. Obama made the remarks a few hours after arriving in Indonesia.

 Netanyahu’s pronouncement was consistent with Israeli policy, yet his sharp tone may embarrass Obama at a moment of vulnerability. Obama is visiting the world’s largest Muslim country, and the rebuke may again raise questions in the Muslim world about how much influence the American leader really has on a priority issue.