US slams Netanyahu’s breach of commitment about settlement expansion

Published: 8 October 2016

Last updated: 4 March 2024

The very harsh tone of Washington's statements has fueled speculation that the US may support an anti-settlement resolution in the UN Security Council following the US elections on 8 November, and before President Barack Obama leaves office on 20 January. The EU has echoed the US criticism. An Arria Formula Security Council meeting on Israeli settlement building is scheduled for 14 October.

White House: Netanyahu broke a commitment, that's not how you treat your friends – Barak Ravid – Haaretz 06.10.16
White House ‘boils with anger’ at advancement of plan to resettle Amona residents deep inside the West Bank [see map referred to later in this post] and at timing of the decision (on day of Shimon Peres’ death and just a week after signing of the military aid agreement), says ‘actions speak louder than words’. Israeli Foreign Ministry says the new settlement is not a new settlement, ‘only’ an expansion of an existing settlement. US Ambassador to Israel says unacceptable.

At the boiling point with Israel – New York Times Editorial 06.10.16
If the aim of the Israeli government is to prevent a peace deal with the Palestinians, now or in the future, it’s close to realizing that goal. Last week, it approved the construction of a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank, another step in the steady march under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to build on land needed to create a Palestinian state.

And see:

US hints at linkage between military assistance and settlement building – Herb Keinon & Tovah Lazaroff – The Jerusalem Post 05.10.16
Since 2008, the Shiloh settlement, c27km West of the Green Line, has almost doubled in population. [Includes map and graph.]

EU questions Israel’s commitment to peace amid approval of new West Bank homes – The Times of Israel 07.10.16
Echoing scathing US criticism, Europe says Israeli moves undermine ‘contiguity of any future Palestinian state’.

Plans to legalise or move illegal outpost both threaten Palestinian land September 27, 2016

Re-mapping of ‘state land’ aids settlement project in West Bank June 5, 2016

Israeli ambassador and Donald Trump defend continuing settlement expansion May 7, 2016

Netanyahu misleads again on settlement expansion April 19, 2016