New Israel settlements `may not be helpful` to peace, says US

by Dramelin 6:30 PM 0 comments

Image copyright AFP Image caption Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes thisBuilding new Israeli settlements "may not be helpful" to achieving peace with Palestinians, the White House has said. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. In the statement on Thursday, the White House said: "While we don`t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal. There are also more than 95 outposts - settlements built without official authorisation from the Israeli government - across the West Bank. More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel`s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.