The United States State Department expressed appreciation to Israel Thursday over steps taken to make things easier for Palestinian Authority residents in Judea and Samaria. Those steps included the removal or easing of processing at roadblocks and inspection points, and reduced Israeli security activity in four PA cities.
State Department spokesman Ian Kelly stressed the U.S.'s recognition of Israel's security concerns, coupled with what he called the Arabs' critical need for transportation of people and goods. He also repeated the American goal of comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.