President Donald Trump on Thursday evening signaled a potential shift in his policy toward Israel with a statement from the White House saying that expansions of Israeli settlements may inhibit the peace process with Palestine.
“The American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement. “As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region.”
Spicer made it clear, though, that the statement on settlements does not amount to an official Trump policy.
“The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month,” he said in the statement.
The statement from the White House follows the news from last week that Israel approved 2,500 new settlements in the West Bank.
It also diverges from President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about Israel before taking office. After the Obama administration abstained from a UN Security Council vote on a resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Trump tweeted that “things will be different after Jan. 20th.” Trump also pushed for the U.S. to block the resolution before the vote took place.
“While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said in a statement."
Doctor: “While I don’t believe the pre-existence of malignant tumors is a threat to your health, the appearance of new malignant tumors might be a threat to your health.”
Typical Trump. Throws bomb into room to illustrate outlier position and “promote closure”, leaves. Returns a week later and does it again. Rinse and repeat.
Well, he had not pissed off Bibi yet, so it had to come…
It doesn’t amount to official Rump policy? OK, then why have Rump’s goon go out and make a public statement on settlements? My belief is that this is a prime example of what people have been saying about Rump: that he’s a conductor of information from the last person that’s spoken to him. I think this is coming from his meeting with King Abdullah as well as maybe Jared and Ivanka who may not be hardliners.
It will change once Pres. Bannon has had a chance to reprogram him.
THIS after Donald failed to mention Jews in his Holocaust Remembrance Day statement.
Hey, Bibi! I’m thinking that Donald is not your friend.