USA: Israeli settlements in West Bank 'aren't illegal' - Pompeo

W/S US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, entering press conference, Washington DC
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "The Trump administration is reversing the Obama administration's approach towards Israeli settlements. US public statements on settlement activities in the West Bank have been inconsistent over decades."
W/S Pompeo at podium *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "After carefully studying all sides of the legal debate, this administration agrees with President Reagan. The establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law."
C/U Journalist *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "Look, we recognize that Israeli courts have the legal conclusions related to individual citizen settlements must depend on an assessment of specific facts and circumstances on the ground. Therefore, the United States government is expressing no view on the legal status of any individual settlement. The Israeli legal system affords an opportunity to challenge settlement activity and assess humanitarian considerations connected to it. Israeli courts have confirmed the legality of certain settlement activities and has concluded that others cannot be legally sustained."
W/S Pompeo at podium *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "We're not addressing or prejudging the ultimate status of the West Bank. This is for the Israelis and the Palestinians to negotiate. International law does not compel a particular outcome nor create any legal obstacle to a negotiated resolution."
C/U Journalist *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "We will no longer recognize Israeli settlements, as per se, inconsistent with international law. It's based on the unique facts of history and circumstances presented by the establishment of civilian settlements in the West Bank. Our decision today does not pre-prejudice or decide legal conclusions regarding situations in any other parts of the world."
C/U Journalist *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "Calling the establishing of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law hasn't worked. It hasn't advanced the cause of peace. The hard truth is there will never be a judicial resolution to the conflict, and arguments about who is right and wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace. This is a complex political problem that can only be solved by negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The United States remains deeply committed to helping facilitate peace, and I will do everything I can to help this cause."
W/S Pompeo at podium *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "The United States encourages the Israelis and the Palestinians to resolve the status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank in any final status negotiations. And further, we encourage both sides to find a solution that promotes, protects the security and welfare of Palestinians and Israelis alike."
W/S Journalists *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State: "We believe that what we've done today, is we've recognized the reality on the ground. We've now declared that settlements are not, per se, illegal under international law. And we have provided the very space that your question suggests, the very space for Israel and the Palestinians to come together to find a political solution to this very, very vexing problem. We think, in fact, we've increased the likelihood that the vision for peace that this administration has. We think we've created space for that to be successful. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to move forward on that before too terribly long."
W/S Pompeo leaving press conference
SCRIPT
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that US President Donald Trump's administration no longer recognises Israeli settlements "inconsistent with international law," during a press conference in Washington DC on Monday.
"The Trump administration is reversing the Obama administration's approach towards Israeli settlements. US public statements on settlement activities in the West Bank have been inconsistent over decades," said Pompeo.
"We will no longer recognize Israeli settlements, as per se, inconsistent with international law. It's based on the unique facts of history and circumstances presented by the establishment of civilian settlements in the West Bank. Our decision today does not pre-prejudice or decide legal conclusions regarding situations in any other parts of the world," he added.
"We've now declared that settlements are not, per se, illegal under international law," stressed Pompeo.
Mandatory credit: US Department of State