President Trump on Thursday warned Israel that constructing new settlements “may not be helpful” to Middle East peace efforts despite--before taking office-- criticizing the Obama administration for not vetoing a United Nations Security Council measure condemning settlements.
The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration also “pulled back somewhat” on its pledge to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
David Halperin, the executive director of the Israel Policy Forum, told the paper that Trump’s move serves as a caution to Netanyahu.
“It’s a warning sign to the Israeli right that their celebration (of the new administration) may be premature,” he said.
The New York Times called Trump's appeal to Israel a "startling shift." The Jerusalem Post called the statement "surprising."
An unnamed administration official told The Jerusalem Post that the White House was not consulted on Israel’s “unprecedented” announcement of 5,500 new settlement units.
Up until this point, the Trump administration was perceived to be sympathetic to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s settlements.
"While we don't 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 in a statement.
The White House said the president would discuss the issue with Netanyahu when the two meet in Washington on Feb. 15.
The U.S. 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 Trump's inauguration.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/03/trump-to-israel-settlements-may-not-help-achieve-peace-in-middle-east.html
