Moulton Statement on Trump Administration's Policy Change Regarding Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
WASHINGTON – Following reports that the Trump Administration would no longer regard Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories as a violation of international law, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) said:
“Permanent Israeli settlements are a direct threat to the possibility of a lasting, two-state peace plan. The Administration’s decision to change America’s position on the legitimacy of settlements in the West Bank cements a radical shift in U.S. policy that has occurred over the last three years, and forfeits any credibility that remained with the Palestinians that will be required to broker a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The timing of this announcement is calculated, and comes as Israel is set to form its own government this week. Instead of trading pivotal U.S. policy for political favors to Prime Minister Netanyahu, America should work towards a lasting peace that will only come from a two-state plan, negotiated in good faith by Israel and the Palestinians.
America’s role in the world should match the mantra that guided my unit in the Marines: There is no better friend and no worse enemy than the United States of America. President Trump, Vice President Pence, Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Pompeo claim to be good friends of Israel. Good friends of Israel would not inflame tensions with short-sighted and politically-motivated decisions like this one. Good friends of Israel would denounce settlements for what they are—dangerous and destabilizing efforts to consolidate power and territory at the expense of peace.”
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