US opposes Israel's decision to build new settlements
Washington, Dec 1 (ANI)
The Obama administration has condemned Israel's decision to build more than 3,000 new settlements in the occupied West Bank and in East Jerusalem.
"We reiterate our longstanding opposition to settlements and East Jerusalem construction and announcements," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
"We believe these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations or achieve a two state solution. Direct negotiations remain our goal and we encourage all parties to take steps to make that easier to achieve," Vietor added.
According to Politico, Israeli officials announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government had approved the construction of thousands of new housing units, and were laying the groundwork for more.
The settlements, considered by some as illegal under international law, are a key sticking point in any future negotiations between Israel and a Palestinian state, the report said.
Israel's move comes just one day after Palestinians pushed for and won recognition as a nonmember observer state at the United Nations.