Saturday, October 15, 2016

U.S. blasts Israeli activities in Judea and Samaria

The United States on Friday criticized Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria during a UN Security Council discussion on the issue.

The meeting, titled "Illegal Israeli Settlements: Obstacles to Peace and the Two-State Solution," was informal and did not involve a vote. It was held at the initiative of Egypt, Venezuela, Malaysia, Senegal and Angola.

The U.S. representative to the session, Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN David Pressman, said Washington is "deeply concerned and strongly opposes settlements which are corrosive to peace," according to Haaretz.

Pressman added that Israeli activities in Judea and Samaria, primarily construction of new communities, “create a one state reality on the ground."

The U.S. calls on both sides to adopt policies and take immediate steps toward "implementing the two-state solution," he said, according to Haaretz.

At the same time, Pressman also condemned Palestinian Arab terror attacks on Israelis, and said that figures who incite violence are sending a message to the international community that they aren't interested in peace.

The remarks mark the latest incident in which American officials have condemned Israeli construction projects in Judea and Samaria. READ MORE