Why Is the US Saying Illegal Israeli Settlements Are Okay? I Inside Story

It’s a dramatic shift in US policy, and goes against the position taken by international organisations and most other countries.

The US says it no longer views the illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank as “inconsistent with international law”... The Palestinians are furious and many observers say it makes Israeli-Palestinian peace even more elusive.

It’s another U-turn on policy by the US President in favour of Israel. Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the American embassy there. He also recognised Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights from Syria.

So what's the reason for this latest controversial move?

Presenter: Imran Khan | Guests: Gideon Levy, columnist at Haaretz News and author of 'The Punishment of Gaza’; Richard Falk, professor emeritus at Princeton University. Richard is the former UN special rapporteur for occupied Palestinian territories; Nour Odeh, political analyst and former spokesperson for the Palestinian Task Force on public diplomacy

Noura Erakat: US Recognition of Israeli Settlements Is “Entrenchment of an Apartheid Régime”

The Trump administration has announced it no longer views Israel settlements in the occupied West Bank to be a violation of international law, in another blow to possible Israel-Palestine peace negotiations. On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a reversal to the US position, putting the US at odds with the international community. A UN resolution in 2016 declared the settlements a “flagrant violation” of international law. Israel’s embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Pompeo’s announcement as a historic day for Israel, but Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat condemned the US decision. Soon after Mike Pompeo announced the new US policy, the US Embassy in Israel issued a travel warning to Americans in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. From Washington DC, we speak with Noura Erakat, a Palestinian human rights attorney and legal scholar. She is an assistant professor at Rutgers University and the author of “Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine.”

US Says Israeli Settlements No Longer Considered Illegal in Dramatic Shift

THE GUARDIAN: US declaration marks rejection of 2016 UN resolution that settlements on the West Bank are a ‘flagrant violation’ of international law

The US has declared that Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land are not necessarily illegal, in a dramatic break with decades of international law, US policy and the established position of most US allies.

“Calling the establishment of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law has not advanced the cause of peace,” said Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state. “The hard truth is that there will never be a judicial resolution to the conflict, and arguments about who is right and who is wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace.” » | Julian Borger in Washington | Monday, November 18, 2019

Israeli Ambassador: Settlements Not Root Of Conflict | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Israeli Ambassador to U.S., Ron Dermer, says that settlements aren't the root of the current conflict and that Israel will work with incoming WH to undo damage of U.N. resolution.

Netanyahu: Israel Blamed for Lack of Peace

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Sec. Kerry's speech was unbalanced. Netanyahu states Kerry blamed Israel for the lack of peace

Israeli Settlements: Israel, Alone but Determined

Kerry: Two-state Solution Only Way for Peace between Israelis & Palestinians, Now in Jeopardy

US Secretary of State John Kerry is speaking on vision for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Israel Claims It Has Clear Proof Obama Pushed UN Settlement Vote

Tel Aviv says it has solid proof that the Obama administration was behind a UN Security Council resolution, calling for an end to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel Cuts Working Ties With 12 Nations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has temporarily scaled back relations with the nations who voted for the UN resolution to end construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. CNN's Elise Labott reports.

Netanyahu: We Cannot And Will Not Accept Security Council Resolution On Settlement Building

Israel has suspended its multimillion dollar contribution to a number of United Nations bodies and is reevaluating its relationship with the organization, after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Israeli settlement construction.

Inside Story - How's Israel Dealing with Fallout of UN Vote?

For years, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to walk a thin line. Hardline conservatives within the country, and even within the governing coalition, want Netanyahu to dismiss the idea of a Palestinian state altogether.

UNSC Passes Resolution Demanding End to Israeli Settlement Building on Occupied Palestinian Land

The UN Security Council with 14 of 15 members voting in favor has passed a resolution demanding an end to the construction of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territories. The resolution was introduced to the UNSC by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal. The US was the only nation to abstain from voting. Earlier, Trump and Israeli authorities also called on the US to veto the resolution.

Inside Story - Egypt Pulls Plug on UN Vote on Israeli Settlements

Cairo comes under pressure from US president-elect Donald Trump and Israel to withdraw resolution. Presenter: Sohail Rahman. Guests: Mustafa Barghouti, Timothy Kaldas, Oded Revivi