A top U.S. general says the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is presenting challenges to the U.S. ability to advance its interests in the Middle East.
General David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, says the conflict foments anti-American sentiment in the region due to a perception of U.S. favoritism toward Israel.
The U.S. Central Command oversees American forces in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Petraeus's comments to a Senate committee Tuesday came amid a U.S.-Israeli dispute about Israel's plan to build 1,600 more housing units in disputed East Jerusalem.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians have been stalled for more than a year primarily because of the construction of Jewish settlements.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
