The US State Department has expressed its disapproval of Israel’s decision to permit Jewish settlers to establish a permanent presence in an outpost in the northern West Bank that was evacuated in 2005. The outpost, known as Homesh, is located near the Palestinian city of Nablus and is considered illegal under both international and Israeli law.
In a statement issued on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US was “deeply troubled” by the Israeli government’s order, which he said was “inconsistent” with the commitments made by Israel to the US in 2004 and 2021. He also said that the order was “an obstacle to peace” and urged Israel to refrain from any unilateral actions that could undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.
The statement came after the Israeli military’s Central Command signed an order on Thursday that allows Israelis to enter the Homesh area, paving the way for a formal settlement to be built there. The order was based on a legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in March that authorized the resettlement of four outposts that were dismantled in 2005 as part of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s “disengagement plan”. The other three outposts are Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim.
The US criticism is a rare move by the Biden administration, which has been trying to maintain a balanced approach towards Israel and the Palestinians amid rising tensions and violence in the region. The US has repeatedly called on both sides to de-escalate the situation and resume dialogue, while also reaffirming its support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.
However, the US has also expressed its concern over Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are considered illegal by most of the international community and have been condemned by several UN resolutions. The US has urged Israel to freeze or reverse its settlement activities, which it says are detrimental to the viability of a future Palestinian state.
Captured Territories
According to various sources, there are nearly 700,000 Israeli settlers living in more than 250 settlements and outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which were captured by Israel in 1967. The settlements are widely seen as one of the main obstacles to peace, as they encroach on Palestinian lands and resources, create friction with the local population, and complicate the territorial contiguity of a potential Palestinian state.
The settlement of Homesh is particularly controversial, as it was built on privately owned Palestinian land and was ruled illegal by the Israeli Supreme Court. Despite its evacuation in 2005, settlers have regularly attempted to reoccupy the site, often with the protection of Israeli soldiers. In 2007, settlers established a religious school, or yeshiva, at the outpost, which continues to operate until today.
The US statement also denounced the “provocative visit” by Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right Israeli lawmaker and settler leader, to Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Sunday. The compound, which is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount, is a sacred site for both religions and a frequent flashpoint of conflict. Ben Gvir’s visit sparked clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers, who accused him of trying to incite violence and change the status quo of the site.
The US said that Ben Gvir’s visit was “inflammatory” and “irresponsible”, and called on all parties to respect the sanctity of the holy places and avoid actions that could escalate tensions. The US also reiterated its support for maintaining the historical status quo at the site, which allows Muslims to pray there while Jews can only visit but not pray.
The US statement reflects its growing frustration with Israel’s policies and actions that undermine its efforts to revive the peace process and achieve a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US has been trying to engage with both sides and encourage them to take confidence-building measures that could create a positive atmosphere for negotiations. However, Israel’s settlement expansion and provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque have been met with anger and resistance by the Palestinians, who have also accused the US of bias and interference.
