Israel’s prime minister applauds to the White House’s decision, announced on Tuesday. According to the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement, the United States does not consider Israeli settlements to violate international law, Axios reported.
Israeli’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Trump administration’s declaration, which brought back the old vision of the Israeli settlements in West Bank. Thus, the settlements are legal, while the current US leader stepped back from four decades of U.S. policy and reversed the policies of Trump’s predecessor.
Mr Netanyahu was delighted by Trump’s decision and called it a “huge achievement” that “fixed a historic wrong.”
“I think it is a great day for the state of Israel and an achievement that will remain for decades,” Israeli PM said.
On Tuesday, to celebrate the great news, Netanyahu with his ecstatic supporters has visited the settler leaders in Alon Shvut, a settlement outside of Jerusalem.
Israeli right-wing leaders welcomed Pompeo’s announcement. Although it is largely symbolic, it fueled calls from settler supporters for increased construction or even the annexation of parts of the West Bank. In reality, it also fuels the fresh confrontation and causes rage among Palestinians who claim the West Bank as part of a future state. Palestine’s authorities have condemned Trump’s decision, that undercuts any chances of a broader peace deal.
Many countries have expressed their vocal support to Palestine on Tuesday, calling the US declaration a ‘shock’.
West Bank settlements face another problem
The Palestinians and the international community say that settlements are illegal and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. Israel says the fate of the settlements should be determined in negotiations.
Over 400,000 settlers now live in the West Bank, in addition to more than 200,000 settlers in east Jerusalem, the Palestinian’s hoped-for capital.
Trump’s decision would result in “more violence and cruelty” against the Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli settlers and “undermines any possibility” of achieving peace.
Donald Trump’s son-in-law said the White House team has developed a Mideast peace plan, but it has not yet unveiled it. The Palestinians already have rejected the plan, accusing the U.S. of unfair bias in favour of Israel.
Under Trump’s era, the Oval Office has made a few moves in favour of Israel and continues to do that. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and shuttering the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington have already caused the hot discussions among the international community.
