US Chastises Israel’s New Settlement Plans

Still, the US has done nothing to counter Israel's illegal settlements — it continues to enable them

The US sharpened its criticism of Israel’s new controversial settlement plans in Palestinian territory on Tuesday, accusing the Israeli government of engaging in a “pattern of provocative action” that undermines their claims to be committed to peace.

“We are deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing this pattern of provocative action,” Nuland told reporters. “These repeated announcements and plans of new construction run counter to the cause of peace. Israel’s leaders continually say that they support a path towards a two-state solution, yet these actions only put that goal further at risk.”

In late November, Israel authorized new settlement construction in the controversial area of East Jerusalem known as E1 in a punitive attempt to nullify a contiguous Palestinian state following the successful UN-bid for implicit recognition of Palestinian statehood.

“The project Netanyahu’s government began moving forward on Friday would cut the West Bank itself in half, dividing its north from its south while barricading off a bit of Jerusalem in the bargain, and with it, in all likelihood, the plans to name the Arab sections of the city as Palestine’s capital,” wrote Karl Vick, columnist for Time.

“The impact,” specialist Danny Seiedmann told Vick, “is basically the creation of facts on the ground that would make the two-state solution dead. It’s not only a game-changer, it’s a game-ender.”

The settlement plan exposes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to prevent the viability of a Palestinian state at all costs.

Still, the US has done nothing to counter Israel’s aggressive and illegal actions of late. US aid and diplomatic support continues unabated.

Indeed, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said predicted all UN Security Council members except the US would publicly condemn Israel’s continuing settlement activity as illegal and demand they must be stopped.

Author: John Glaser

John Glaser writes for Antiwar.com.