Washington Aug 2, SPA - - The U.S. State Department Monday criticized the Israeli government for approving 600 new housing units on the West Bank. Adam Ereli, a State Department spokesman, said during a press briefing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has pledged to block any new settlements from being built on the West Bank. "We have discussed with Prime Minister Sharon the need to make progress on the settlement issue, beginning with the removal of unauthorized settlement outposts," Ereli said. Ereli said U.S. President George W. Bush supports an Israeli initiative to remove settlements from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This initiative was part of the roadmap for peace agreed to by the Israelis and the Palestinians in May 2003. "It certainly remains a focal point of our diplomacy to move forward in finding ways to take advantage of that opportunity and it will remain so," Ereli added. --SPA 0002 Local Time 2102 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/188338