US State Dept. says Israel should hold back on settlements
US State Department spokesperson Mark Toner reiterates US President Donald Trump’s requests for Israel to hold back on construction in West Bank settlements.
Toner refers to Trump’s statement at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he asked Israel to rein in settlement expansion. “We’re in discussions with Israel about how exactly that would look like that,” he says. “It’s under consideration.”
Regarding the peace process, Toner says the new administration is still “looking at the situation and looking at next steps.”
The State Department will defenitely play a role, he says
Toner also responds to rumors the US is considering quitting United Nations Human Rights Council, saying they are “just that — rumors.”
— Raphael Ahren