Israeli policy on Jerusalem remains unchanged, the prime minister's office announced just one day after the premier returned from Washington where he faced pressure to freeze settlements.
Netanyahu returned Thursday from a tense visit to Washington that appeared to deepen a bitter row with the administration of President Barack Obama over the building of Jewish settlements, including in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
"The prime minister's position is that there is no change in Israel's policy on Jerusalem that has been pursued by all governments of Israel for the last 42 years," his office said in a statement. Talks fail with Obama
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The Americans have reportedly demanded from Netanyahu a series of steps to help kickstart stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.
The hawkish premier was to discuss the US demands with his inner forum of seven senior ministers later in the day.
Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser said it was unlikely there would be quick agreement from the seven and denied media reports of a US deadline to supply answers by Saturday night.
"I suggest you wait patiently. The forum of seven is meeting today in the afternoon to discuss things. If there is a necessity for further discussions they will happen," Hauser told public radio.
"All aspects of the issue will be examined and they will formulate Israel's position according to Israel's interests and in the time needed to do so," he said.
Washington's demands unknown
Hauser declined to discuss the details of Washington's demands, in line with the laconic stance adopted by both sides.
Israeli media said it was unlikely that the security cabinet, which includes several hardline politicians, would agree to what was being asked.
Netanyahu's carefully coordinated dressing down in Washington was reportedly accompanied by demands for wide-ranging measures including the extension of a partial settlement halt and the release o hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
There was an unusually opaque news blackout throughout the visit, no concrete achievements were reported and the Israeli leader was given none of the trappings usually reserved for visitors such as a photo opportunity and press conference.
Leaders put on a brave front
Still, this week both sides tried to put a more positive spin on what has been called the worst crisis between the allies in decades.
Government spokesman Nir Hefetz insisted Israel had edged closer to an understanding with its closest ally.
"There was progress. There is a narrowing of the gaps between the positions of Israel and the positions of the United States on this issue," he told Israel's privately run Channel Two television.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "We are making progress on important issues."
The spat erupted after Netanyahu's government announced it would build 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in east Jerusalem as US Vice President Joe Biden was in the region earlier this month hoping to promote peace talks.
The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state, and refuse to meet Netanyahu face-to-face without a complete freeze of settlement construction in the occupied territories.
