• Middle East: The US says that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are no longer illegal

Like the transfer of its embassy to Jerusalem and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty on the Golan Plateau, the US announcement of not considering settlements in the West Bank as "illegal" is a symbolic and symbolic gesture of great importance that It opposes the traditional position of the international community and causes Palestinian unrest and the satisfaction of the Israeli Government.

By stating last night that "the establishment of the Israeli colonies in the West Bank is not incompatible with international law", the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo Pompeo modifies the legal position of his country adopted by the Carter Administration eleven years after Israel will occupy that territory - until then under Jordanian and formerly British control - in the war of 67. Washington fears the announcement will provoke attacks against US targets (facilities, soldiers and citizens) in the region.

The condemnation of the Palestinian leadership that sees it as the "continuation of anti-Israel and propaganda policy" by President Donald Trump is as foreseen as the applause of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who considers it "a rectification of historical injustice."

"Direct challenge to International Law"

" It is an irresponsible action that represents a threat to security, " denounces the PLO leader and general secretary of the PLO Saeb Erekat that demands measures from the international community in the face of the new Washington statements.

According to Erekat, "it is a direct challenge to International Law that seeks to undermine its foundations and replace it with the law of the jungle. (...) The United States calls itself the responsible international actor in the resolution of international conflicts."

"We strongly reject and condemn the statement by Pompeo that goes against international law," adds spokesman for Palestinian President Nabil Abu Rudeina who, like the rest of Palestinian leaders, prays that Trump will stop being the White House tenant after 2020 elections. The Palestinian rais highlights that the US "has no authority to give legitimacy to the colonies and has lost its credibility in Palestinian eyes."

After reiterating their support for the Palestinian cause and defending their aspiration to create a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as capital, Egypt and Jordan have condemned the US announcement but without using harsh terms. After all, he is one of his great allies.

Gift to Netanyahu

Immersed in dramatic weeks where his political future is decided (efforts to form the Government, avoid a minority of the centrist leader Benny Gantz before this Wednesday at midnight or new elections) and personnel (decision of the attorney general on whether he goes to trial for corruption ), Netanyahu received the words of Pompeo as a divine gift. One more of his friend Trump with whom he spoke for the first time in several weeks last night. On this occasion, however, Trump's announcement has virtually no electoral benefit for the Likud.

"The United States has taken an important position that reflects the historical truth that the Jewish people are not foreign colonialists in Judea and Samaria. In fact, we call ourselves Jews because they are the people of Judea," says Netanyahu who denounces "the lie that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are illegal under international law. "

Netanyahu also rejects that settlements are an obstacle to a peace agreement as denounced by the Palestinians. From Ramallah and Brussels, they warn that "construction in the illegal colonies in occupied territory undermines the possibilities of a Palestinian state with territorial continuity."

Although the US maintains its position that the definitive status of the settlements must be decided in the peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and in this regard there is no variation, Pompeo's announcement is a boost for the current Israeli Government by multiplying the requests in the Nationalist right for Netanyahu to order the construction of more residences in the colonies and the annexation of that disputed area. Hence, it is not ruled out that in the coming months and if he continues to lead the coalition, the conservative leader fulfills his electoral promise to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area.

More than two million Palestinians in the settlements

According to the Israeli NGO "Peace Now," 427,800 Jews live in some 225 enclaves and settlements in the West Bank where the number of Palestinian inhabitants revolves around 2,636,244.

The negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians has been in a deep state of coma since the spring of 2014 when the last attempt of the Obama Administration was blurred. Trump, faithful to his principle of reversing the decisions and positions of his predecessor in the domestic and foreign sphere, planned to present his peace plan a few months ago but the political blockade in Israel, resulting in two elections, postponed him. Pompeo's announcement not only deepens the unprecedented gap between the Palestinian leadership and the US government but also raises even more questions and doubts about his long-awaited peace plan called "the Agreement of the Century."

Seven days ago, reactions to the European Union's slogan to its member countries to specify the origin of settlement products were radically different: Israeli condemnation and Palestinian satisfaction.

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