The United States is Deeply Troubled with Israeli Settlement Announcement

The United States is deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank.  We are similarly concerned by reports of changes to Israel’s system of settlement administration that expedite the planning and approvals of settlements.  As has been longstanding policy, the United States opposes such unilateral actions that make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve and are an obstacle to peace.  We call on the Government of Israel to fulfill the commitments it made in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and return to dialogue aimed at de-escalation.