JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

White House criticizes approval of new settlements

By Eric Fingerhut · September 4, 2009

Reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be approving hundreds of new housing units in West Bank settlements before agreeing to a freeze brought swift criticism from the White House.

"We regret the reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlemnet construction," said Press secretary Robert Gibbs in a statement. "Continued settlement activity is inconsistent with Israel's commitment under the Roadmap."

"As the President has said before, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that it stop," the statement continued. "We are working to create a climate in which negotiations can take place, and such actions make it harder to create such a climate. We do appreciate Israel's stated intent to place limits on settlements activity and will continue to discuss this with the Israelis as these limitations are defined.

Here's the full statement:

Statement by the Press Secretary on Israeli Settlements

We regret the reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlement construction.  Continued settlement activity is inconsistent with Israel's commitment under the Roadmap.

As the President has said before, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that it stop.  We are working to create a climate in which negotiations can take place, and such actions make it harder to create such a climate.

We do appreciate Israel's stated intent to place limits on settlement activity and will continue to discuss this with the Israelis as these limitations are defined.

The U.S. commitment to Israel’s security is and will remain unshakeable.  We believe it can best be achieved through comprehensive peace in the region, including a
two-state solution with a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel.

That is the ultimate goal to which the President is deeply and personally committed.

Our objective remains to resume meaningful negotiations as soon as possible in pursuit of this goal.  We are working with all parties – Israelis, Palestinians, and Arab states -- on the steps they must take to achieve that objective.