U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in two separate interviews in leading U.S. newspapers said that the United States has not reached any agreement with Israel on expanding Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, or retaining them as part of a permanent status settlement.
Referring, apparently, to the government’s plans to add 3500 housing units between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem, Rice told the Los Angeles Times in an interview on March 24, that Israel’s plans to build “around Jerusalem” is “at odds with American policy.”
She added, regarding Israel’s explanation for building housing units east of Jerusalem, “the prospect that you’re going to have an expansion of settlements in this way, particularly in a sensitive area is not really a satisfactory response.”
In an interview in the Washington Post made the following day, Rice denied that any assurances had been given to Israel regarding annexing certain areas of Judea and Samaria as part of a permanent status agreement with the Palestinian Authority. She said that the only commitment given to Israel was that the Israeli population of certain areas “needs to be taken into account” in a final status agreement, but emphasized that such an agreement “has to be negotiated.”
“In other words, how that is to be taken into account has to be negotiated. That’s it,” she said.
Rice’s comments coincide with the statements made by U.S. ambassador to Israel, Dan Kurtzer, behind closed doors to Israeli Foreign Service cadets that the United States has not given Israel assurances that it can continue building in Judea and Samaria or annex certain areas.
Kurtzer subsequently denied making the statements, but Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, claims it has a transcript of his remarks.
Both Kurtzer’s and Rice’s comments contradict Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s highly publicized announcement last spring that U.S. President George W. Bush had agreed that Israel can continue to build in Judea and Samaria and eventually annex large settlement blocs.
Sharon made his announcement after meeting with the U.S. president in Washington and used the reported U.S. commitment to sell his plan to expel Jewish residents from Gaza and Northern Samaria to the Cabinet, claiming it was a quid pro quo for uprooting those communities.
Bush’s supposed acquiescence of Jewish settlement blocs was sold to the public and to Likud supporters as an unprecedented diplomatic achievement.
Rice’s comments regarding construction around Ma’ale Adumim, the biggest Israeli city in Judea and Samaria, with over 32,000 residents, were the harshest criticism she has made against Israel since assuming her post in January.
Yet, despite Rice’s criticism, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, claims that President Bush is not opposed to having Israel hold onto and build in the settlement blocs of Ma’ale Adumim, Ariel, and Gush Etzion.
“There is no change in interpreting the obligations between us and the United States. It’s as bright as the sun,” he said.
Referring, apparently, to the government’s plans to add 3500 housing units between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem, Rice told the Los Angeles Times in an interview on March 24, that Israel’s plans to build “around Jerusalem” is “at odds with American policy.”
She added, regarding Israel’s explanation for building housing units east of Jerusalem, “the prospect that you’re going to have an expansion of settlements in this way, particularly in a sensitive area is not really a satisfactory response.”
In an interview in the Washington Post made the following day, Rice denied that any assurances had been given to Israel regarding annexing certain areas of Judea and Samaria as part of a permanent status agreement with the Palestinian Authority. She said that the only commitment given to Israel was that the Israeli population of certain areas “needs to be taken into account” in a final status agreement, but emphasized that such an agreement “has to be negotiated.”
“In other words, how that is to be taken into account has to be negotiated. That’s it,” she said.
Rice’s comments coincide with the statements made by U.S. ambassador to Israel, Dan Kurtzer, behind closed doors to Israeli Foreign Service cadets that the United States has not given Israel assurances that it can continue building in Judea and Samaria or annex certain areas.
Kurtzer subsequently denied making the statements, but Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, claims it has a transcript of his remarks.
Both Kurtzer’s and Rice’s comments contradict Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s highly publicized announcement last spring that U.S. President George W. Bush had agreed that Israel can continue to build in Judea and Samaria and eventually annex large settlement blocs.
Sharon made his announcement after meeting with the U.S. president in Washington and used the reported U.S. commitment to sell his plan to expel Jewish residents from Gaza and Northern Samaria to the Cabinet, claiming it was a quid pro quo for uprooting those communities.
Bush’s supposed acquiescence of Jewish settlement blocs was sold to the public and to Likud supporters as an unprecedented diplomatic achievement.
Rice’s comments regarding construction around Ma’ale Adumim, the biggest Israeli city in Judea and Samaria, with over 32,000 residents, were the harshest criticism she has made against Israel since assuming her post in January.
Yet, despite Rice’s criticism, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, claims that President Bush is not opposed to having Israel hold onto and build in the settlement blocs of Ma’ale Adumim, Ariel, and Gush Etzion.
“There is no change in interpreting the obligations between us and the United States. It’s as bright as the sun,” he said.