US refrains from condemning Israel at UN session on ‘de facto annexation’ steps

The US refrains from condemning the recent slate of Israeli measures aimed at expanding settler control of the West Bank during a UN Security Council session that was convened largely to discuss the issue.

While every other ambassador at the meeting used their statements to condemn the moves they say is a violation of international law, US Ambassador Mike Waltz focuses his remarks on the US efforts in Gaza.

The US has been largely quiet about the moves that will make it easier for settlers to take over West Bank land, along with moving additional authorities pertaining to the West Bank from Israeli security agencies to civilian ones, in what is seen as de facto annexation.

The White House did issue a statement earlier this month reiterating that US President Donald Trump opposes West Bank annexation, but the statement did not directly address the specific moves passed by Israel’s security cabinet.