The leftwing J Street activist group issued a statement condemning the planned Jewish building in the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo.

The group claimed that the move “hinders Middle East peace efforts, particularly as the Israelis and Palestinians begin proximity talks."  It also said that the building approval was a "disappointing inflaming of tensions and undermining of trust - and is particularly surprising given Vice President Biden's present visit to Israel aimed at underscoring the U.S.-Israel relationship and the American commitment to a two-state resolution of the conflict."