U.S. concerned over Israeli settlement plan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. concerned over Israeli settlement plan, 12 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/521f465f3.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 12, 2013
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki
The United States says it has "serious concerns" about Israel's decision to allow settlers to continue building on Palestinian land despite the start of a new round of peace talks.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in Washington on August 12 that the White House did not accept "the legitimacy of continued settlement activity."
The statement comes after Israel's government on August 11 approved the construction of more than 1,000 new homes for Jewish settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are due to resume on August 14 in Jerusalem under a U.S.-led initiative.
These discussions are supposed to reach an agreement within nine months, but Washington fears more settlement-building by Israel could derail the process.
Talks broke down in 2010 over the issue of Jewish settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website