Rattled by Pompeo's settlement stance, PA turns to international community
The Palestinian Authority is seeking international support against the Israeli settlements in response to the US secretary of state's statement that the settlements aren't necessarily illegal.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Nov. 18 that the United States no longer considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be “inconsistent with international law.” The Palestinian Authority saw the statement as US bias toward Israel and a green light for Israel to annex areas of the West Bank.
The Palestinian leadership, including President Mahmoud Abbas, the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Fatah’s Central Committee and the secretaries of the Palestinian factions, held an emergency meeting in Ramallah on Nov. 19 and developed a plan of action to confront the US position.
