'Great frustration.' Herzog
Photo: Yaron Brener
Avid supporter. Clinton
Photo: Reuters
Herzog: Clinton remarks on settlements warning sign
Labor minister says 'avid Israeli supporter's call to freeze all settlement activities' indicative of 'entirely new situation in Washington, where there is a sense that Israel did not live up to its obligation'
"The recent call by Hillary Clinton, an avid supporter of Israel, to freeze all settlement activities serves as a warning sign for the country," Welfare Minister Issac Herzog said Sunday after Cabinet discussed last week's meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama in Washington.
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Speaking to Ynet, the Labor minister said the comments made by the US secretary of state show "that the American administration is playing a new game.
In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Clinton said "We want to see a stop to settlement construction, additions, natural growth – any kind of settlement activity. That is what the president has called for."
Herzog said that all past US Administrations, including those of former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, accepted settlement construction aimed at accommodating the natural growth of the Jewish population in the West Bank.
"This is indicative of an entirely new situation," said the minister, adding "it is a warning sign that is a testament to great frustration. In Washington, just like in many other capitals around the world, there is a sense that Israel did not live up to its obligations and bluffed on the settlement issue.
"Clinton's remarks require Israel to explain to the world its position regarding the settlements, and once and for all make the distinction between the settlement blocs that will remain under Israeli control and the isolated settlements," Herzog continued to say.
"We must differentiate between settlements situated along the Green Line, such as Betar Ilit and Modi'in Ilit, and those that are surrounded by Palestinians. We must also take an aggressive stance against the illegal outposts, which should be dealt with in accordance with Israel's commitments to the international community, headed by the US."
