US, Israel don’t agree
Washington – The Trump administration reiterated its concerns about Israeli settlement activity, the two sides said on Thursday, as a round of talks ended without agreement over limiting future construction on land the Palestinians want for a state.
The four days of high-level meetings in Washington marked the latest step by President Donald Trump’s aides aimed at opening the way to renewed peace diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinians, despite deep scepticism in the United States and Middle East over the chances for success.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, who recently returned from a visit to the region, led the US delegation in what were described as “intensive discussions” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Yoav Horowitz, and foreign policy adviser Jonathan Schachter.
Despite setting a more positive tone towards Israel than his predecessor, Barack Obama, Trump urged Netanyahu during a White House visit last month to “hold back on settlements for a little bit”. The two then agreed that their aides would seek an accommodation on how much Israel can build and where.
“The United States delegation reiterated President Trump’s concerns regarding settlement activity in the context of moving towards a peace agreement,” according to a joint statement released by the White House.
“The Israeli delegation made clear that Israel’s intent ... is to adopt a policy regarding settlement activity that takes those concerns into consideration,” it said.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been frozen since 2014 and settlements are one of the most heated issues. Palestinians want the West Bank and East Jerusalem for their own state, along with the Gaza Strip.
Most countries consider Israeli settlements, built on land captured in the 1967 Middle East war, to be illegal. Israel disagrees, citing historical and political links and security interests.
In the talks, officials said a key focus was on steps that “could have a meaningful impact on the economic environment in the West Bank and Gaza” and, specifically, a desire to advance efforts toward “self-sustainability” in electricity and water. – Reuters