Why has this policy been restored? Because Rashida Tlaib and Nihad Awad, among others, have threatened that Biden will get no Muslim votes in November unless he betrays Israel.
The West Bank is the name that Jordan gave in 1950 to the land that had been known as Judea and Samaria from time immemorial. Knowing that we are discussing Jews living in Judea puts the issue of “settlements” in a very different light from how Blinken and the establishment media cast the issue.
“Biden administration restores Trump-rescinded policy on illegitimacy of Israeli settlements,” by Matthew Lee, Associated Press, February 23, 2024:
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday restored a U.S. legal finding dating back nearly 50 years that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are “illegitimate” under international law.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. believes settlements are inconsistent with Israel’s obligations, reversing a determination made by his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, in the Biden administration’s latest shift away from the pro-Israel policies pursued by former President Donald Trump.
Blinken’s comments came in response to a reporter’s question about an announcement that Israel would build more than 3,300 new homes in West Bank settlements as a riposte to a fatal Palestinian shooting attack.
It wasn’t clear why Blinken chose this moment, more than three years into his tenure, to reverse Pompeo’s decision. But it came at a time of growing U.S.-Israeli tensions over the war in Gaza, with the latest settlement announcement only adding to the strain. It also came as the United Nations’ highest court, the International Court of Justice, is holding hearings into the legality of the Israeli occupation.
Biden administration officials did not cast Blinken’s comments as a reversal — but only because they claim Pompeo’s determination was never issued formally. Biden administration lawyers concluded Pompeo’s determination was merely his opinion and not legally binding, according to two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private discussions.
But formally issued or not, Pompeo’s announcement in November 2019 was widely accepted as U.S. policy and had not been publicly repudiated until Blinken spoke on Friday….
Bexarkat says
Just curious…but by those same standards would not most, if not all of these American states and territories also be illegitimate?
Siddi Nasrani says
Judea and Samaria from time immemorial is Jewish.
Islam did not happen until 635 AD after Christ.
Stop lying Blinken, oh I forgot you have to you dance to the tune of the piper.( Biden )
crown says
Nah, the senile brain-addled Biden is not the piper.
That would be Obama and Valerie Jarrett, telling the imbecile-in chief what to say.
OLD GUY says
CORRECT! You win an all expenses paid trip to OBAMA LAND of the FREE ISLAMIC REGIME.
Biden is just the game show host.
Namer says
Why does Jill Biden hate Israel so much?
Noah Andeark says
She’s a hoe. According to her husband Bill Stevenson, DOCTOR Jill began schtuping Cabbage Brain Biden while they were still married. Add that to coke-head Hunter schtuping Jojo’s DEAD BOY’S WIFE (while the kid was still warm), and you have “Biden integrity” on display.
Namer says
Why does Jill Biden hate Israel so much?
Daniel Bielak says
Request for Signing Petition:
Replace UNRWA!
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/replace-unrwa/
The petition is by the organization UN Watch. They need a total of 100,000 signatures by several hours from now. At the time of the writing of this comment, they need 21,552 more signatures in order to reach 100,000.
carpediadem says
I don’t want UNRWA replaced. I want it gone.
The palis don’t deserve their own precious admin.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Will Jewish-Americans, who still vote (D) like lemmings, finally wake up and join the WalkAway campaign this November?
James Lincoln says
Infidel,
The Jewish-Americans just “Left of center” will likely walk away.
The subset of hard-core Leftists will not.
Tom says
I’ve been on the “West Bank” … the west bank of the Jordan River. I then jumped eastward, into the river. In some places, it’s best not to jump but just wade in to the water. I’ve also been on the east bank … funny how it’s never called that.
Mick says
How deep and wide was it? Please state month and location, eg north or south of the West Bank.
Rick Olsha says
WHO CARES WHAT THAT OLD FOOL SAYS !!!
AM ISRAEL CHAI !!!!
Scott Morgan says
Biden is concerned about losing the Muslim vote in November 2024. So this is another step being taken to fortify that vote.