The White House on Thursday warned Israel to stop settlement announcements that could undermine peace with the Palestinians,
according to The Jerusalem Post.
The
surprising statement comes as President Trump signaled he would depart
from former President Obama’s Israel policy and forge a close
relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a strong
proponent of settlements.
But Trump was reportedly blindsided by
Israel’s announcement of 5,500 new housing units to be built in the West
Bank, which would have been the first new settlement there in around 20
years.
“As President Trump has made clear, he is very interested
in reaching a deal that would end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and
is currently exploring the best means of making progress toward that
goal,” an official told the paper.
“With that in mind, we urge
all parties from taking unilateral actions that could undermine our
ability to make progress, including settlement announcements,” the
official added. “The administration needs to have the chance to fully
consult with all parties on the way forward.”
In a separate
statement Thursday, the White House made clear its opposition to the
recent burst of settlement activity. But in a departure from the Obama
administration, the statement does not call settlements an impediment to
a two-state solution.
"While we don’t believe the existence of
settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new
settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their
current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal."
"The
Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement
activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with
Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this
month.”
Trump’s election is believed to have emboldened
Netanyahu’s government, which has moved aggressively to expand its
settlement activity.
Netanyahu is set to meet with Trump at the White House on Feb. 15.
Trump signaled during the transition he would make moves to align the U.S. closer with Israel’s government.
He announced his intent to nominate David Friedman, a strong settlement supporter, as ambassador to the Jewish state.
In
December, Trump’s team reportedly pressured Obama to scuttle a U.N.
Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction.
But the previous administration allowed the controversial measure to
pass, abstaining from the vote.
But since entering the White
House, Trump has backed off some of his more aggressive promises,
including a plan to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Trump repeatedly said during the campaign he wants his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to help broker a Middle East peace deal.
Updated at 6:39 p.m.
Failed in 1996 by not ending the Oslo extortion and in 98 by Wye give away. This PM this time tolerates Bagatz expulsion of Amona Jewish
patriots. Apparently he needs to retire and take his "false" globalist vision
of Israel with him.
It is time for Israel to find its true path with new Jewish leadership
Zehut and Moshe Feiglin.
USA remains outside loop til swamp is cleaned if ever.
Foggy Bottom State Dept still owned by Globalists no help will come
from there and no help from there should be sought.
