US 'disappointed' in new Israeli settlement plan, but doesn't stop it

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
23 Feb 2024 21:42

While the United States keeps funding "Israel" monetarily and militarily, it has expressed its 'disappointment' in the occupation's new settlement plan, but not enough to do something about it.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Security, after their meeting in 'Tel Aviv', Thursday Oct. 12, 2023 (AP)

The Biden administration has reportedly expressed its "disappointment" in the Israeli occupation's new plan to expand and build 3,000 new settler houses in the West Bank.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, in a press conference in Argentina, that the United States has seen reports on new Israeli settlements, "and I have to say we’re disappointed in the announcement.”

He added that the US' longstanding policy regarding settlements is "counterproductive" to establishing peace between Palestinians and Israeli settlers, referenced international law charters that disallow such activities, as well as expressed his country's mere opposition to the matter.

Similarly, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby also coined the move as "counterproductive to the cause of peace" and reiterated that it is a violation of international law.

The major political power, however, did not actively denounce "Israel's" motives or try to attempt to pressure it to halt its colonial plans. On the contrary, the United States has been the occupation's most loyal sponsor, specifically throughout its disastrous genocide in Gaza.

When the US holds the banner of international law, it dismisses the tens of thousands of martyrs "Israel" has killed in Gaza, the massacres it has executed, and the war crimes it has carried out, using American-made and funded weapons.

Last week, the Biden administration was getting ready to provide additional bombs and weaponry to "Israel", expanding its military capabilities, despite alleged "ongoing efforts by the US to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza", according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.

As per the information provided, the planned delivery encompasses approximately a thousand MK-82 bombs, along with fuses and JDAM guidance kits that are supposed to enhance the precision of the munitions. The total value of this package is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

The assessment reportedly stated that there are "no human rights concerns" associated with the deal, claiming that "Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights. In the past, Israel has been a transparent partner in US investigations into allegations of defense article misuse."

The US, through its actions in Gaza, proved that not only is it enabling "Israel", but also actively partaking in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the destruction of their lands, and if it does not seem to care about that in the Gaza Strip, then it most definitely will not care about it in the West Bank.