The United States is taking Israel to task for a planned expansion of Jewish homes in the portion of Jerusalem that Palestinians claim for the capital of a future state.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday in Tel Aviv that such moves undermine the U.S.-backed peace talks.

Rice is making what has become nearly a monthly trip to assess the negotiations. She says Israeli housing expansions are a recurring problem. In particular, she says she will discuss the latest announcement of 1,300 new homes in east Jerusalem with every Israeli official she sees.

Rice told reporters that now is a time to build confidence on both sides. In her words, “This is simply not helpful to building confidence.”