The Biden administration rebuked Israel on Sunday over an order that allows Jewish settlers to establish a permanent presence in a West Bank outpost that Washington has warned Jerusalem it should avoid legitimizing.
The chief of the Israeli military's Central Command signed an order on Thursday that allows Israelis to enter the Homesh outpost area, paving the way for a formal settlement to be built there, the Times of Israel reported.
The State Department has repeatedly called on Israel to refrain from any moves that escalate tensions with Palestinians, like formalizing settler outposts, and specifically warned it over Homesh.
"We are deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s order that allows its citizens to establish a permanent presence in the Homesh outpost in the northern West Bank, which according to Israeli law was illegally built on private Palestinian land," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The order is inconsistent with Israeli government commitments made in 2004 and more recently to Biden administration officials, Miller said.
Israel's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the order in question was intended to allow Israelis to keep attending an existing religious school in Homesh, and that the government has no intention of rebuilding the settlement or allowing Israeli presence on private Palestinian land.
The reproach by the U.S. comes after months of escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians that have tested ties between Washington and its main ally in the Middle East.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, part of a far-right government that came to power in December, visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who know it as Temple Mount, and declared Israel was "in charge."
Miller said Washington was also concerned about the "provocative visit" and "accompanying inflammatory rhetoric."
"This holy space should not be used for political purposes, and we call on all parties to respect its sanctity," he said, also reaffirming the U.S. position that the status quo should be maintained at Jerusalem's holy sites.
Latest Stories
-
Vasseur questions ‘strange momentum’ of Formula One race director change
14 mins -
“I am disappointed in Kojo Manuel” – Merqury Quaye on “no tie” comment
14 mins -
Nana Kwame Bediako; The beacon of unity
16 mins -
Western Region: NDC youth wing embarks on phase 2 of ‘retail campaign’
42 mins -
Action Chapel International holds annual Impact Convention in November
43 mins -
Jana Foundation urges young women to take up leadership roles
48 mins -
All set for Joy FM Prayer Summit for Peace 2024
59 mins -
Managing Prediabetes with the Help of a Dietitian
1 hour -
Joy FM listeners criticise Achiase Commanding Officer’s election comment
2 hours -
Legal Aid Commission employees threaten strike over poor working conditions
2 hours -
Ghana ranked 7th globally as biggest beneficiary of World Bank funding
2 hours -
IMF board to disburse $360m to Ghana in December after third review
2 hours -
Former Bono Regional NPP organiser donates 13 motorbikes to 12 constituencies
2 hours -
Securities industry: Assets under management estimated at GH¢81.7bn in quarter 3, 2024
2 hours -
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation challenges graduates to maximise benefits of community apprenticeship programme
4 hours