ALBAWABA - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently voiced his displeasure of Israel's intended development of settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying that such acts are inconsistent with international law, during a press conference while on a visit to Argentina.
In the press conference, which he co-hosted with his Argentine counterpart Diana Mondino, Blinken answered queries about Israel's intentions for additional settlement growth as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "post-war Gaza" initiative.
Blinken stressed that any proposed strategy must uphold basic values, such as keeping Gaza from serving as a base for terrorist activities and making sure that Israeli actions do not cause Gaza's territory to shrink.
Blinken expressed dismay over Israel's announcement of fresh settlement construction, pointing out the long-standing bipartisan belief in the US that these expansions make it more difficult to bring about a sustainable peace in the region.
He reaffirmed the strong opposition of the US government to settlement expansion, noting worries that it weakens rather than strengthens Israel's security.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich revealed plans to approve 2,350 dwelling units in the vicinity of Bethlehem's Maale Adumim settlement under Israel's proposed plan, in addition to additional units in the occupied West Bank's Kedar and Efrat.
