Robert Wood, State Department deputy Spokesman, made the comments after earlier Monday the New York Times had reported that the Obama administration was considering a series of symbolic measures to force Israel to halt all construction in West Bank settlements.

While refusing to comment on the New York Times report, Wood told Haaretz that both "the President and the Secretary have made clear that all the parties have responsibilities to fulfill to give Middle East peace efforts a chance to succeed. And U.S. and Israeli officials are in intensive discussions on how this can best be achieved."

"We've long worked to ensure that Israel is treated fairly at the United Nations. That will continue," Wood added.

The deputy spokesman maintained that "Israel is a close friend and ally, and we remain committed to its security," assuring that that commitment "will continue."

"I'm not going to comment on this New York Times report, but I think the President and Secretary have spoken very clearly to where we are with regard to the settlement question."

Wood concluded by saying that "The United States lives up to its obligations. Right now, we are focused on trying to get both sides to adhere to the Roadmap so that we can move forward toward that two-state solution. And it's not going to be easy, as you know. And we're going to continue to try to do that."

The White House has yet to officially comment on the New York Times report.

According to the New York Times article, administration officials said that measures under discussion include dropping the U.S.' near uniform support of Israel in the United Nations and withholding its usual veto on resolutions critical of Israel.

Among other pressure points, Washington could review loan guarantees to Israel, diplomats said, or share and coordinate with less alacrity on security matters, while the European Union could get tough on trade terms for produce from settlements.

"There are things that could get the attention of the Israeli public," The Times quoted a senior administration official as saying. Nevertheless, the official also said, "Israel is a critical United States ally, and no one in this administration expects that not to continue."

Deputy Prime Minister Danny Ayalon, who is currently in New York, told Haaretz that the discussion did not represent an official Israeli stance and that the outcome of such debate was unclear as of yet,

Other Israeli officials confirmed that the U.S. has made no mention of any such plans for sanctions. The Obama administration has insisted on a total settlement freeze, but Jerusalem has balked at this demand claiming that existing communities in the West Bank deserve continued government attention.