US reiterates opposition to Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria, avoids condemnation of E1
The US State Department reiterated President Donald Trump’s opposition to Israel annexing Judea and Samaria but intentionally avoided condemning Jerusalem’s planned settlement construction in the controversial E1 area.
The statement comes as foreign ministers from Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt condemned Israel’s E1 settlement plan in a joint statement Friday, saying it threatens the “viability and realization of an independent, contiguous Palestinian State” and “constitutes a direct challenge to international efforts aimed at achieving peace,” including Trump’s Comprehensive Plan.
The ministers’ statement came a day after France, Germany, Britain and Italy jointly condemned the E1 plan, calling it “unacceptable.” Britain also threatened targeted sanctions against those involved in settlement expansion.
A growing number of Western and Middle Eastern countries have condemned the E1 project, which supporters and opponents say could effectively end prospects for an independent Palestinian state by bisecting Judea and Samaria and further preventing Palestinian territorial contiguity.
Asked about the project, the State Department repeated a statement it has previously used on Israeli policy Judea and Samaria, without mentioning E1.
“As the president has clearly stated, the US does not support Israel annexing the West Bank. A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region,” said a State Department spokesperson in a statement sent to reporters.
