Trump Warns Israel: Stop Announcing New Settlements

[Silver Pines]

Trump Warns Israel: Stop Announcing New Settlements


By Michael Wilner
February 2, 2017


White House official tells ‘Post’ all parties should cease ‘unilateral actions,’ affirms two-state solution.


The White House warned Israel on Thursday – in a surprising statement – to cease settlement announcements that are “unilateral” and “undermining” of President Donald Trump’s effort to forge Middle East peace, a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post.

For the first time, the administration confirmed that Trump is committed to a comprehensive two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict negotiated between the parties.

The official told the Post that the White House was not consulted on Israel’s unprecedented announcement of 5,500 new settlement housing units over the course of his first two weeks in office.

“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,” the official said.

"With that in mind, we urge all parties to refrain 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.”

Trump plans to bring up the peace process in his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House scheduled for February 15.


Read more at:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Trump-warns-Israel-Stop-announcing-new-settlements-480446

[Silver Pines]

Well.  A two-state solution.

I guess it's safe to say that moving the embassy to Jerusalem was so much BS, then.

[Norm Lenhart]

And this one goes into the "Mistake" column. It is not America's business where Israel settles it's own land. Wasnt under Bush or Barry. It isn't under Trump.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Well.  A two-state solution.

I guess it's safe to say that moving the embassy to Jerusalem was so much BS, then.

Yes. Much confusion here.

[Frank Cannon]

What's the big deal?

“I think it’s designed to chill some of the exuberance of those on the Israeli Right who think they have a blank check,” Dennis Ross, a senior Middle East diplomat and veteran of the George H.W. Bush, Clinton and Obama administrations, told the Post. “I think that exuberance got their attention. I just don’t think they want any announcements that will surprise them, and they’re still in the process of formulating what their policy is going to be.

“It sounds like they want to convey a pretty blunt message,” Ross added.

I concur.

[XenaLee]

Trump Warns Israel: Stop Announcing New Settlements


By Michael Wilner
February 2, 2017


White House official tells ‘Post’ all parties should cease ‘unilateral actions,’ affirms two-state solution.


The White House warned Israel on Thursday – in a surprising statement – to cease settlement announcements that are “unilateral” and “undermining” of President Donald Trump’s effort to forge Middle East peace, a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post.

For the first time, the administration confirmed that Trump is committed to a comprehensive two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict negotiated between the parties.

The official told the Post that the White House was not consulted on Israel’s unprecedented announcement of 5,500 new settlement housing units over the course of his first two weeks in office.

“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,” the official said.

"With that in mind, we urge all parties to refrain 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.”

Trump plans to bring up the peace process in his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House scheduled for February 15.


Read more at:

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Trump-warns-Israel-Stop-announcing-new-settlements-480446

Maybe I missed it..... but who is the official?  Why didn't they name him/her?  I get real leery these days when some article comes out that doesn't sound right ....and it's one of those vague "? said ....".  It just doesn't seem logical that an "unnamed official" would have made such an announcement about such an important issue.....considering what Trump said about that UN resolution recently...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/746983/United-Nations-UN-security-council-end-Israel-settlements-Palestine

It just doesn't follow.  More fake news, perhaps?

[Silver Pines]

Maybe I missed it..... but who is the official?  Why didn't they name him/her?  I get real leery these days when some article comes out that doesn't sound right ....and it's one of those vague "? said ....".  It just doesn't seem logical that an "unnamed official" would have made such an announcement about such an important issue.....considering what Trump said about that UN resolution recently...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/746983/United-Nations-UN-security-council-end-Israel-settlements-Palestine

It just doesn't follow.  More fake news, perhaps?

@XenaLee

We'll see, I guess.  But honestly, I don't like the way the Trump administration has backed off moving the embassy.  Personally it doesn't make me optimistic.

[XenaLee]

@XenaLee

We'll see, I guess.  But honestly, I don't like the way the Trump administration has backed off moving the embassy.  Personally it doesn't make me optimistic.

Hang tough.  It's a confusing time with much disinformation flying in all directions....intentionally so.  The left loves to do that.   None of this stuff HAS to be done this month.  It's an unnecessary pressure we really shouldn't be feeling.  The main thing right now is to stop the flow of possible future jihadists and work on securing the border while vetting all coming into the country.  Let's face it....if that isn't done now, we may not have a country to worry about later.   

[Norm Lenhart]

Maybe I missed it..... but who is the official?  Why didn't they name him/her?  I get real leery these days when some article comes out that doesn't sound right ....and it's one of those vague "? said ....".  It just doesn't seem logical that an "unnamed official" would have made such an announcement about such an important issue.....considering what Trump said about that UN resolution recently...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/746983/United-Nations-UN-security-council-end-Israel-settlements-Palestine

It just doesn't follow.  More fake news, perhaps?

I can see 'fake news' leading to a major incident/military action. Hopefully the outlet in question will be attacked and destroyed by the screwed country in retaliation, the same way any propaganda outlet is targeted during wartime. REGARDLESS of whose soil it's on. If these people cannot control themselves, then nature will at some point result in a Franz Ferdinand level moment.

[libertybele]

And this one goes into the "Mistake" column. It is not America's business where Israel settles it's own land. Wasnt under Bush or Barry. It isn't under Trump.

  I am all in agreement with helping Israel as our ally, but for Trump to 'dictate' where Israel settles its own land is overreaching his bounds, his authority and he needs to realize he is President of the United States of America, not King of the World.

[libertybele]

Hang tough.  It's a confusing time with much disinformation flying in all directions....intentionally so.  The left loves to do that.   None of this stuff HAS to be done this month.  It's an unnecessary pressure we really shouldn't be feeling.  The main thing right now is to stop the flow of possible future jihadists and work on securing the border while vetting all coming into the country.  Let's face it....if that isn't done now, we may not have a country to worry about later.   

Excellent post!!!      You are 100% correct, if we don't secure our borders and start figuring out who is coming and going in this country, we may not have a country left to worry about.

[Silver Pines]

Hang tough.  It's a confusing time with much disinformation flying in all directions....intentionally so.  The left loves to do that.   None of this stuff HAS to be done this month.  It's an unnecessary pressure we really shouldn't be feeling.  The main thing right now is to stop the flow of possible future jihadists and work on securing the border while vetting all coming into the country.  Let's face it....if that isn't done now, we may not have a country to worry about later.   

@XenaLee

You make some good points.  When it comes to the settlements, though, he needs to butt right out.

[HonestJohn]

The Jerusalem Post is not known for shoddy journalism.

[Chosen Daughter]

I am all in agreement with helping Israel as our ally, but for Trump to 'dictate' where Israel settles its own land is overreaching his bounds, his authority and he needs to realize he is President of the United States of America, not King of the World.

Certainly looks bad.   What I fear.  He does think he is King of the World.

[geronl]

Well that yuge and bigly support for Israel didn't last long. Now he's back to not taking sides.

lolz

[geronl]

Maybe I missed it..... but who is the official?  Why didn't they name him/her?

Sean Spicer

The construction of new Israeli settlements "may not be helpful in achieving" peace between Israelis and Palestinians, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said today.

While the Trump administration does not believe the "existence of settlements is an impediment to peace," Spicer said, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders is unadvisable.

"As the president has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region," Spicer said in a statement. "The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month."

Trump went from huge support of Israel to taking no sides. lol

[geronl]

Trump will flip-flop a lot.

[XenaLee]

Sean Spicer

Trump went from huge support of Israel to taking no sides. lol

That has to be the most illogical, contradictory (confusing) statement ever put out by a WH "official".  If not, it's right up there among the top ten.

May not be helpful in achieving peace..... yet does not believe that the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace.  WTF??? 

Whoever authorized that exact statement is not very bright.

Seems to me.... the only ones that are really objecting to "new settlements" are the rabid left, the Palis and Muslims in general, because they hate the Israelis and anything they do or say.  For this to come from the WH is troubling.

The construction of new Israeli settlements "may not be helpful in achieving" peace between Israelis and Palestinians, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said today.

While the Trump administration does not believe the "existence of settlements is an impediment to peace," Spicer said, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders is unadvisable.

"As the president has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region," Spicer said in a statement. "The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month."

[TomSea]

Israel just confiscated some of their own Jewish settlers off of land.

http://www.reuters.com/news/picture/israeli-settlers-removed-from-west-bank?articleId=USRTX2Z5FN

You would think, there would be backroom talk on all of this, a lot of communication especially with an ally like Israel.

[Hondo69]

Gosh, Trump should know to run these things by me first.   

Stop announcing new settlements - keep building them of course - just stop announcing it.  I'm sure that's what he meant.