Washington, DC, Sept. 4 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) welcomed today's statement issued by the office of the White House Press Secretary stating the United States government's position that Israeli settlement activity should stop. The White House states that, "We regret the reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlement construction," which importantly allows for the possibility that news reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to approve several hundred new settler homes in the occupied West Bank may be inaccurate. The statement confirms that, "Continued settlement activity is inconsistent with Israel's commitment under the Roadmap." It continues, "As the President has said before, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that it stop. We are working to create a climate in which negotiations can take place, and such actions make it harder to create such a climate."

The statement also reaffirms US commitment to Israel's security, but clarifies that this security can be best achieved through the establishment of a Palestinian state to live alongside Israel in peace and security: "The U.S. commitment to Israel’s security is and will remain unshakeable. We believe it can best be achieved through comprehensive peace in the region, including a two-state solution with a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with Israel. That is the ultimate goal to which the President is deeply and personally committed."

ATFP strongly agrees with the White House on all these matters, and urges the United States government to use its good offices and influence to ensure that all parties abide by their responsibilities and commitments and refrain from any actions that preclude the resumption of early and meaningful negotiations.