US legalizes Israeli settlements on the West Bank

“Washington considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank legitimate,” said US State Department head Mike Pompeo.

Фото: Depositphotos

According to him, the Donald Trump administration has revised the approach of previous President Barack Obama on Israeli settlements. From now on, the construction of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank “is not a violation of international law,” the head of American diplomacy was quoted as saying by “Lenta.ru report«.

At the same time, Pompeo noted that the United States did not undertake to determine the final ownership of the West Bank. According to him, the Israelis and Palestinians should do this.

“As the (US) President said when he decided to recognize Jerusalem (the capital of Israel), the final status of these borders (between Israel and Palestine - ed.) will not be determined until the parties reach a solution (to the conflict).” , — сказал Pompeo at a press conference.

On the subject: Israel renamed settlement in the Golan Heights in honor of Trump

Pompeo believes that the recognition of the legality of Israeli settlements in the territories that the Palestinians consider their owns brings a solution to the long-standing conflict, writes RIA News.

“We believe that once we have accepted the reality on the ground by declaring that settlements are not illegal under international law, we are giving the Palestinians and Israelis the space to find a political solution to this (conflict). We think we have actually increased the likelihood of peace,” Pompeo told reporters Monday.

He added that he believes that the approach that this US administration has towards achieving peace is correct, as it creates “space for success.”

Control over the West Bank was established by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War. The UN considers the existence of Jewish settlements in this territory to be contrary to international law. On 23 of December 2016, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding to stop the construction of Jewish settlements in these territories. Then the United States abstained from supporting the document. Jerusalem refused to follow this decision, and soon the Israeli prime minister lifted the ban on building houses in East Jerusalem.

On the subject: Israeli Citizens May Receive E-2 American Investment Visas

On November 12, on the eastern outskirts of Gaza, the Israelis struck a house in which the leader of the al-Quds Brigades (the military wing of the Islamic Jihad), Bahaa Abu al-Ata, was located, responsible for rocket attacks on Israeli territory and planning new terrorist attacks. It was destroyed. His wife was killed along with him. After this, rocket attacks began on Israel from the Gaza Strip, writes Newsru.co.il.

RAW FOOTAGE: The skies of southern Israel RIGHT NOW. Hundreds of rockets are being fired by Islamic Jihad from # Gaza at Israeli homes. pic.twitter.com/x2nAhJZMjd

- Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 13, 2019

In November alone, 482 missiles were fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip, 120 of them were shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system. Three people were injured (as of November 16). In May 2019, 700 rockets were fired, wounding 65 and killing 4 people. In March, 78 rockets were fired, 7 people were injured. In the remaining months of 2019, from 1 to 10 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

US Vice President Mike Pence condemns rocket attacks on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on November 12, writes Newsru.co.il.

“The United States condemns rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians,” Pence wrote in a blog post on Twitter.

“It is clear that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are prioritizing violence over improving the quality of life of the population of the Gaza Strip,” the vice president said.

"America strongly reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense," Pence added.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Countries that the Department of State considers dangerous for Americans: Ukraine and Russia are on the list

Israel extradited a Russian hacker to the United States despite Moscow protests

'Now you can die': 92-year-old woman met with the family she saved during the Holocaust

Israel resumes work of embassies around the world, but not for long

The requests of Russians for political asylum in Israel will be considered under the accelerated procedure

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.