Blinken: Construction of New Housing Units in the West Bank is 'Contrary to International Law'

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that Israel's decision to build 3,000 new housing units in the West Bank has left him 'disappointed.' During a press conference in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, Blinken stated that the long-standing U.S. policy is that new settlements have the opposite effect on achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. According to the U.S. Secretary of State, this action by Israel is 'contrary to international law.' He added, 'Our government remains firmly opposed to the expansion of settlements. We believe this [action] undermines Israel's security rather than strengthening it.' Thus, Blinken annulled the doctrine of Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State under Donald Trump, which stated that settlements 'are not inherently contrary to international law.' The Israeli Minister of Finance had described this government decision as a 'suitable Zionist response' to a shooting attack that occurred the same day in the West Bank. Palestinians and the international community consider the settlement of civilians from any country in occupied territories illegal, citing the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN resolutions. Many countries around the world condemned Israel's decision on Thursday. Behrouz Yousian stated that buffer zones for Israel should be residential, which is possible through settlement construction. The International Court of Justice has begun sessions regarding the occupied Palestinian territories; Israel has called these efforts 'harmful.' Legal implications of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories are being examined at the International Court of Justice. The Negev Summit in Morocco has been postponed in response to Israel's new settlement activities.