Share

November 18, 2019The United States no longer considers the settlements of Jewish settlers in the Palestinian territories "incompatible with international legality". In a move that reverses the US State Department's position since 1978, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has given the green light to the erosion of the land on which a Palestinian state should arise. "Defining those illegal settlements does not make progress towards peace", added Pompeo, according to whom "the hard truth is that there will never be a legal solution to the conflict".

Palestinians: US unacceptable statement and nothing
"Nothing, unacceptable and to be condemned". Thus the spokesman for Palestinian President Abu Mazen, Nabil Abu Rudeina, spoke with the Wafa on the US statement on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. "The US administration - he added - is not qualified or authorized to cancel the resolutions of international legitimacy and has no right to give any legitimacy to the Israeli settlement". The US "has completely lost all credibility and no longer has any role in the peace process".

Israel: US opinion on colonies reflects historical truth
The US statement reflects "a historical truth: that the Jewish people are not foreign colonialists in Judea and Samaria (West Bank, ed.)". This was declared by the office of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu after statements by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "In fact, the prime minister's office continued, we call ourselves Jews because we are the people of Judea". The policy of the Trump administration - Netanyahu's office continued - is also correct when he claims that those who deny any legal basis for settlements not only deny the truth, history and reality on the ground, but also push the cause back of peace that can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties "." Israel - continued the office - remains ready and eager to conduct peace negotiations with the Palestinians on any final state in an effort to achieve lasting peace, but he will continue to reject any argument concerning the illegality of the settlements. "Netanyahu's office then thanked President Trump and Secretary of State Pompey.

EU: our position does not change
The European Union has reiterated its condemnation of Israel's settlement policy in response to the US decision not to consider it more contrary to international law. "The European Union's position on Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories is clear and remains unchanged: any settlement activity is illegal under international law and compromises the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for lasting peace, such as reaffirmed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, "said European diplomatic leader Federica Mogherini in a statement in Brussels. "The EU calls on Israel to cease all settlement activities, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power," he added. "The EU will continue to support the resumption of a constructive process towards a negotiated two-state solution as the only realistic way and practicable to realize the legitimate aspirations of both parties, "he concluded. Mogherini responded to US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo, who said that "the establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not in itself contrary to international law". Pompeo is expected in Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting with his counterparts from NATO member countries.