Biden admin rejects planned Israeli settlement expansion, says it violates international law

"We are simply reaffirming the fundamental conclusion that these settlements are inconsistent with international law," Kirby said.

By Ben Whedon

Published: February 23, 2024 8:19pm

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday indicated that Israeli plans to construct thousands of homes in West Bank settlements would run afoul of international law.

Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel has advanced plans to construct additional housing in the settlements. The sites in question include territory on the Palestinian side of the Green Line, which denotes the official borders between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as broadly recognized internationally. Said settlements have attracted international scrutiny as vestiges of territorial encroachment.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Brazil, Blinken opposed Israeli plans to construct 3,000 units, according to The Hill. White House national security communications adviser John Kirby later echoed his remarks, saying that "We are simply reaffirming the fundamental conclusion that these settlements are inconsistent with international law."

The declaration marks the latest break between the Biden administration and the Israeli government amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Earlier this month, Biden signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Israeli accused of committing acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Also this month, Biden called the Israeli offensive in Gaza "over the top," joining international critics of Jerusalem's handling of the conflict. Gazan health authorities have estimated at least 27,900 people have died in the assault, though Israeli authorities have disputed the veracity of those numbers.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.