The White House says the US is "deeply dismayed" by the expansion of Israeli settlements.
This activity “creates facts on the ground that undermine a two-state solution” between Israelis and Palestinians, said the White House press secretary.
(Reuters)- The United States is "deeply dismayed" by the Israeli cabinet's decision to expand Jewish settlement activity in the occupied West Bank, the White House said Thursday, suggesting that U.S. President Joe Biden is prepared to take a tougher stance in dealing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This activity “creates facts on the ground that undermine a two-state solution” between Israelis and Palestinians, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Senior members of Netanyahu's far-right coalition have sought to further expand settlements in the West Bank territory, captured by Israel in a 1967 war and where Palestinians want to establish a state.
Most world powers consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal. Israel disputes this, citing biblical, historical, and political ties to the West Bank, as well as security interests.
"We are deeply dismayed by the Israelis' announcement that they will move forward with thousands of new settlements and retroactively legalize nine outposts in the West Bank that were previously illegal under Israeli law," said Jean-Pierre.
On Sunday, Israel retroactively authorized nine settler posts in the West Bank and announced the mass construction of new homes in established settlements.
"The United States strongly opposes these unilateral measures, which exacerbate tensions, undermine trust between the parties, and undermine the geographical viability of a two-state solution," said Jean-Pierre.