WASHINGTON (EJP)---Israel's ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, and the White House denied remarks that current Israel-US relations were at a 35-year-low.

Oren was quoted this week in the Israeli media as saying that relations were at a 35-year-low after a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden during which a plan to build 1,400 new housing units in Jerusalem was announced.

According to JTA, Oren issued a statement flatly denying an account of a conference call he had Saturday night with Israeli diplomats.

"I was flagrantly misquoted about remarks I made in a confidential briefing this past Saturday," Oren said in a statement.

"Recent events do not -- I repeat -- do not represent the lowest point in the relations between Israel and the United States. Though we differ on certain issues, our discussions are being conducted in an atmosphere of cooperation as befitting long-standing relations between allies. I am confident that we will overcome these differences shortly."