Judea and Samaria
The Hungarian foreign minister is said to have informed E.U. member states that his country will veto any attempt to issue a joint statement on the legality of Israeli settlements.
The Trump administration’s policy reversal is “a huge achievement” that will “remain for decades,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells West Bank residents during tour of the region.
“The U.S. administration has lost its credibility to play any future role in the peace process,” says P.A. spokesman • Jordanian Foreign Minister: U.S. policy shift will have “dangerous consequences.”
“All settlement activity is illegal under international law” and damages peace efforts, says E.U. representative Federica Mogherini shortly after Washington announces its policy shift on Judea and Samaria.
“If one believes in Israel not only being safe, but secure, the United States backed away from it with its ill-considered statement that settlements do not violate international law,” tweeted former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.).
It means that negotiations “will no longer begin from the premise that Israel has no claim to this land or stole it from the Palestinians. That false legal theory only served to harden Palestinian positions and make successful negotiations impossible,” said Eugene Kontorovich, director of the Center for International Law in the Middle East at George Mason University’s School of Law.
The responses were characteristically similar, with conservative groups lauding the long-desired position and liberal entities against what they feel is placing an obstacle on peace.
“Calling the establishment of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law has not advanced the cause of peace,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, noting that the ultimate status of these neighborhoods must be decided by Israelis and Palestinians.
“The weaponization of E.U. consumer protection law will complicate finding an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, which can only succeed in the diplomatic—not the judicial—arena,” said Daniel Schwammenthal, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Transatlantic Institute.
“The winery is proud of its contribution to combating this decision and intends to continue the struggle,” CEO of Psagot Winery Yaakov Berg tells JNS.
Police have to cut wanted fugitive free with power tools after he chains himself inside house • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for “an immediate halt to violence against security forces.”
“Young students of all backgrounds—Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Israelis, Palestinian Arabs and foreigners—will learn the holy work of medicine to help all of humanity. And by doing so, they will show the world that the modern country of Israel continues to be a light unto the nations,” said Dr. Miriam Adelson.
