In shift, Trump warns Israel against new settlements
AFP
President Donald Trump is warning Israel that constructing new settlements may not be helpful to Middle East peace efforts, shifting toward a tougher line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government, reports AFP from Washington. Still, the White House made clear Thursday that the Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity, departing from previous administrations that have considered the settlements illegitimate. Trump has been perceived as sympathetic to the settlements. Shortly before taking office, he vigorously criticized the Obama administration for not vetoing a United Nations Security Council measure condemning settlements.
But in a statement Thursday, the White House said, While we dont 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 White House said the president would discuss the issue with Netanyahu when he travels to Washington later this month. The two leaders are scheduled to meet at the White House on Feb. 15.
Meanwhile, the group representing Israeli settlers is brushing off the US warning. Still, the Yesha settlers council said Friday that it looks forward to working with the Trump administration.
The US statement came hours after Netanyahu vowed to establish the first new West Bank settlement in over two decades as soon as possible, promising to make up for the court-ordered demolition of an illegal settler outpost. It was his latest step to expand Israeli settlement construction in the wake of Trumps inauguration.
Netanyahu repeatedly clashed with President Barack Obama during the Democrats eight years in office, and Trump has vowed to be a better partner for Israel. Following the UN vote, Trump tweeted, Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching! - referring to the date of his inauguration.
Trump has already appeared to slow his promises to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - a promise often made by presidential candidates, but never carried out in office because of fears the move would inflame tensions in the region.
Newly sworn-in Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke by phone Thursday with Netanyahu.
The prime ministers vow to establish new West Bank settlements came as Israeli security forces were completing the evacuation of Amona, where they broke into a synagogue to remove dozens of Israeli protesters who had barricaded themselves inside. Netanyahus pro-settler government had unsuccessfully tried to block the evacuation of Amona, but Israels Supreme Court rejected all appeals after determining the outpost was built illegally two decades ago on private Palestinian land.
Speaking at a ceremony in the West Bank settlement of Ariel, Netanyahu expressed great pain over the removal of Amona. According to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now, Israel has not officially broken ground on a new settlement since 1992.
Since that time, however, it has greatly expanded its existing settlements and allowed dozens of unauthorized outposts to sprout up, in some cases subsequently legalizing them. In all, some 400,000 Israelis now live in West Bank settlements, in addition to 200,000 others living in east Jerusalem.
The Palestinians claim both areas, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as parts of a future independent state. The international community has opposed the settlements, built on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians, as obstacles to peace.
Britain and Germany, close Israeli allies, as well as the European Union criticized Netanyahus approval this week of 3,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.
This spike in settlement activity undermines trust and makes a two-state solution - with an Israel that is safe from terrorism and a Palestinian state that is viable and sovereign - much harder to achieve, said Britains minister for the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood.
