U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Monday that Israel’s control of building settlements in Palestinian areas does not meet America’s expectations, but it would have a “significant and meaningful effect” on the growth of Jewish settlements.
Her praise of Israel restricting the settlement activity was criticised by Arab nations, saying that it may be a sign of the U.S. softening their stand on stopping the settlement construction.
When asked by a reporter regarding her response to the reaction of the Arab nations, Clinton read a written statement:
“Successive American administrations of both parties have opposed Israel’s settlement policy,” Clinton said. “That is absolutely a fact, and the Obama administration’s position on settlements is clear, unequivocal and it has not changed. As the president has said on many occasions, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.”
She also informed the Israelis to develop “movement and access” for Israeli security and Palestinians.
“This offer falls short of what we would characterize as our position or what our preference would be,” Clinton added. “But if it is acted upon it will be an unprecedented restriction on settlements and would have a significant and meaningful effect on restraining their growth.”
Palestinian government spokesman Ghassan Khatib; however, criticized Clinton’s remarks saying, “I believe that the U.S. condones continued settlement expansion,” he said. “Calling for a resumption of negotiations despite continued settlement construction doesn’t help because we have tried this way many times. Negotiations are about ending the occupation and settlement expansion is about entrenching the occupation.”
