Amona
AmonaMiri Tzahi

The Obama administration has “strongly” condemned Israel for plans to construct housing on government land in Judea and Samaria, saying it calls Israel’s commitment to a negotiated agreement into question.

The State Department says a proposal to build a new neighborhood with up to 300 units runs counter to the concept of a two-state solution to the long-running conflict, although that idea has never progressed due to the Palestinian Authority's refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish homeland.

The administration's statement seems to be in agreement with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' insistence that no Jews could live in a Palestinian Arab state, a concept sharply criticized by Netanyahu.

The condemnation apparently refers to recently approved plans for 98 units to resettle evacuees from the slated-to-be-razed outpost of Amona, near Ofra, as well as reported plans for an industrial zone.