US - Israeli settlements

US State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday that the US is against Israel's settlement activities, saying, "We are opposed to settlement activity because we believe it jeopardizes the chances for reaching a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace in two fundamental ways. First, these activities directly prejudge and predetermine issues that were to be reserved for permanent status negotiations. They create serious impediments by changing the realities on the ground in a way that will make already complicated negotiations that much more difficult."

He continued, "Second, these activities undermine the partnership which is so vital for building trust and confidence. Without trust and confidence it is difficult to see how permanent status negotiations can succeed."

Rubin added, "We have been troubled by the expansion of existing settlements well beyond their periphery."