Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met US President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington.

The meeting, which lasted 90 minutes, was intended to reduce tensions between the two countries. No statements were made about the substance or possible results of the discussions.

Earlier this month, Israel's announcement of plans to construct 1,600 new homes in occupied East Jerusalem led to a diplomatic crisis. The Israeli move coincided with a visit to Israel by US Vice President Joe Biden intended to revive the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Earlier today, Israeli media reported that a plan for the construction of 20 apartments for Jewish settlers on the site of a former Palestinian hotel in East Jerusalem had been given final approval.