The U.S. sharply condemned the double murder in Tekoa - but this followed some criticism of Israel last night regarding its settlement policy in Judea and Samaria. The State Department spokesman said that Israel should not allocate extra monies to Yesha \"settlements\" at this time. \"Such activity could worsen the present situation, which is hard enough as it is, and is a provocation,\" the spokesman said.
Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pilossof, who recently re-joined the Labor party, was asked her opinion this afternoon of the American criticism. \"There is a problem with the settlements,\" she said, \"but I don\'t think it\'s the issue now. First the violence must be stopped, and then we\'ll be able to sit down and talk.\"
Deputy Defense Minister Dalia Rabin-Pilossof, who recently re-joined the Labor party, was asked her opinion this afternoon of the American criticism. \"There is a problem with the settlements,\" she said, \"but I don\'t think it\'s the issue now. First the violence must be stopped, and then we\'ll be able to sit down and talk.\"