Dr. Saeb Erekat on US State Department’s Criticism of Israeli Settlements and Israel’s Response

Although we welcome the State Department's criticism of Israel’s plans to construct a new settlement in the occupied State of Palestine, we expect the United States to translate its statements into real action.  After almost 50 years of systematic Israeli colonization and belligerent military occupation of the State of Palestine, the US must implement the necessary tools to end Israeli settlements, including through the UN Security Council, end funding to Israel, and stop funding settlements through US-based organizations fueling violence and discrimination against Palestinians.

The statement of the Israeli Foreign Ministry simply reconfirms the current Israeli right-wing extremist government’s positions to strengthen the settlements and promote the current Apartheid reality they have imposed on the Palestinian people.  Settlements are illegal under international law, and the international community, including the United States, must completely and unequivocally boycott Israeli settlements in all areas.