Many of the readers used anti-gay slurs, Andrews said. Twenty-seven subscribers canceled. One emailed one of the reporters who worked on the story to say: “That kind of stuff makes normal people want to throw up. People have kids who are being exposed to this crap. I will be glad when your rag goes out of business. Real men marry women.”

US vice-president Joe Biden has accused Israel of undermining Middle East peace talks after it announced plans for another 1,600 new houses in East Jerusalem.

The settlement plan was announced just as Mr Biden arrived in Israel and just days after Israel and the Palestinians agreed to resume indirect US-brokered peace talks.

The latest settlement plan has infuriated Palestinian leaders, who have labelled it a "dangerous decision" which will hinder peace talks.

This morning Mr Biden released a strongly worded statement saying the settlement plan "undermines the trust needed for indirect Mideast talks".

"I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units," he said.

"The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now."

The row is overshadowing Mr Biden's visit to the region.