Current:Home > InvestBiden administration restores Trump-rescinded policy on illegitimacy of Israeli settlements-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Biden administration restores Trump-rescinded policy on illegitimacy of Israeli settlements
View Date:2024-12-23 21:05:18
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday restored a U.S. legal finding dating back nearly 50 years that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are “illegitimate” under international law.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. believes settlements are inconsistent with Israel’s obligations, reversing a determination made by his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, in the Biden administration’s latest shift away from the pro-Israel policies pursued by former President Donald Trump.
Blinken’s comments came in response to a reporter’s question about an announcement that Israel would build more than 3,300 new homes in West Bank settlements as a riposte to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack, were later echoed by a White House spokesman.
It wasn’t clear why Blinken chose this moment, more than three years into his tenure, to reverse Pompeo’s decision. But it came at a time of growing U.S.-Israeli tensions over the war in Gaza, with the latest settlement announcement only adding to the strain. It also comes as the United Nations’ highest Court, the International Court of Justice, is holding hearings into the legality of the Israeli occupation.
Biden administration officials did not cast Blinken’s comments as a reversal – but only because they claim Pompeo’s determination was never issued formally. Biden administration lawyers concluded Pompeo’s determination was merely his opinion and not legally binding, according to two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions.
But formally issued or not, Pompeo’s announcement in November 2019 was widely accepted as U.S. policy and had not been publicly repudiated until Blinken spoke on Friday.
Speaking in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Blinken said the U.S. was “disappointed” to learn of the new settlement plan announced by Israel’s far-right firebrand finance minister Bezalel Smotrich after three Palestinian gunmen opened fire on cars near the Maale Adumim settlement, killing one Israeli and wounding five.
Blinken condemned the attack but said the U.S. is opposed to settlement expansion and made clear that Washington would once again abide by the Carter administration-era legal finding that determined settlements were not consistent with international law.
“It’s been longstanding U.S. policy under Republican and Democratic administrations alike that new settlements are counter-productive to reaching an enduring peace,” he said in his news conference with Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino.
“They’re also inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion and in our judgment this only weakens, it doesn’t strengthen, Israel’s security,” Blinken said.
For decades, U.S. policy on settlements was guided by the 1978 determination known as the “Hansell Memorandum,” which was penned by the State Department’s then-legal adviser Herbert Hansell. Hansell’s finding did not say that settlements were “illegal” but rather “illegitimate.” Nonetheless, that memorandum shaped decades of U.S. policy on the issue.
Pompeo repudiated that policy in November 2019. The Biden administration had long considered re-implementing it as it sought to adjust its Middle East strategy. Those deliberations had picked up steam as Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks drew increasingly intense international criticism.
veryGood! (12543)
Related
- OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
- Vermont suffered millions in damage from this week’s flooding and will ask for federal help
- Street artists use their art to express their feelings about Paris Olympics
- Olympic track recap: Sha'Carri Richardson gets silver in women's 100M in shocking race
- Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
- How did Simone Biles do today? Star gymnast adds another gold in vault final
- Taking Over from the Inside: China’s Growing Reach Into Local Waters
- In a win for Mexico, US will expand areas for migrants to apply online for entry at southern border
- Dogecoin soars after Trump's Elon Musk announcement: What to know about the cryptocurrency
- Chase Budinger, Miles Evans win lucky loser volleyball match. Next up: Reigning Olympic champs
Ranking
- Suspect arrested after deadly Tuskegee University homecoming shooting
- Netherlands' Femke Bol steals 4x400 mixed relay win from Team USA in Paris Olympics
- 1 child killed after wind gust sends bounce house airborne at baseball game
- 3 brought to hospital after stabbing and shooting at Las Vegas casino
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul press conference highlights: 'Problem Child' goads 'Iron Mike'
- One Extraordinary (Olympic) Photo: Vadim Ghirda captures the sunset framed by the Arc de Triomphe
- That's not my cat... but, maybe I want it to be? Inside the cat distribution system
- Street artists use their art to express their feelings about Paris Olympics
Recommendation
-
My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers
-
Stock market today: Dow drops 600 on weak jobs data as a global sell-off whips back to Wall Street
-
Navy football's Chreign LaFond learns his sister, Thea, won 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal: Watch
-
Olympic Athletes' Surprising Day Jobs, From Birthday Party Clown to Engineer
-
Man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 2 workers at Chicago’s Navy Pier
-
Paris Olympics highlights: Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky win more gold for Team USA
-
MrBeast’s giant reality competition faces safety complaints from initial contestants
-
EEOC hits budget crunch and plans to furlough employees