Trump Adopts a Harder Line on Israeli Settlements
Mr. Trump told an Israeli newspaper that settlements "don’t help the process" and
that he did not believe that "going forward with these settlements is a good thing for peace." He also did not reaffirm his past vow to move the embassy, saying that it "is not an easy decision" and "we will see what happens." The comments amounted to a striking recalibration of Mr. Trump’s approach to Israel just five days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House.
Trump said that They don’t help the process,
The president’s language in the interview went beyond the carefully written statement issued by the White House last week saying
that settlements were not an impediment to peace but they "may not be helpful." The statement was seen as a sign that Mr. Trump wanted Mr. Netanyahu to hold off contentious moves, at least until their meeting next week.
10, 2017
WASHINGTON — President Trump, who presented himself as a staunch supporter of Israel during last year’s campaign, took a harder line on settlements in an interview published on Friday and indicated
that he was rethinking his promise to move the United States Embassy to Jerusalem.
And every time you take land for settlements, there is less land left." He added: "I am not somebody
that believes that going forward with these settlements is a good thing for peace." Mr. Trump’s statement on the embassy move was also strikingly different than past comments.
I’m thinking about it very seriously and we will see what happens." Mr. Trump, who last year blistered his predecessor,
President Barack Obama, for not being supportive enough of Israel, said he would not publicly criticize it.
