US President Donald Trump has called on Israel to “be very careful” with building settlements in West Bank as this issue complicates the opportunity to continue the peace process.
“The settlements are something that very much complicates and always have complicated making peace, so I think Israel has to be very careful with the settlements,” Trump told Israel Hayom newspaper in an interview published on Sunday.
Trump added that the issue of settlements will be discussed, when asked whether this issue would become a part of the US plan to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The US president, however, expressed doubts that Palestine or Israel are seeking to reach peace at the current moment.
“Right now, I would say the Palestinians are not looking to make peace, they are not looking to make peace. And I am not necessarily sure that Israel is looking to make peace… I am right now interested in the Palestinians and Israel. I don’t know frankly if we are going to even have talks, we will see what happens, but I think it is very foolish for the Palestinians and I also think it would be very foolish for the Israelis if they don’t make a deal. It’s our only opportunity and it will never happen after this,” Trump stressed.
In December, Israel’s cabinet reportedly approved funding worth some 40 million shekels ($11 million) for the West Bank settlements.
Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government refuses to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic entity, and builds settlements on the occupied areas, despite objections from the United Nations.
The US authorities have stated on numerous occasions that Washington has been preparing a “deal of the century” that will ensure a comprehensive regional peace process and will put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian confrontation. Nevertheless, the details of the plan remain unclear.