President: New Israeli settlements endanger America's security

The relationship between Israel and the US appears to be strained after Israel rejected Obama’s request to end the new settlement construction in West Bank. President Obama said those settlements are endangering America's security.

President Obama met the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, today and said he was concerned about the new settlements plan in West Bank. He said they will be a major obstacle to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and Israeli state. The West Bank currently houses more than 500,000. The Israeli government is planning to add more in the disputed area. Yesterday, the Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev said Prime Minister Netanyahu will defy the White House, which calls to halt construction of new homes in West Bank. Regev told the media:

Israel … will abide by its commitments not to build new settlements and to dismantle unauthorized outposts...As to existing settlements, their fate will be determined in final status negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. In the interim period, normal life must be allowed to continue in these communities

Today Obama responded swiftly by calling for an immediate settlement freeze after meeting the Palestinian leader. Obama told the press that stopping settlements will help the peace talks to a close for an independent Palestinian state, which will assist the long-term security interests of Israel as well as the US. Obama also warned the Palestinians to end attacks against Israel and avoid anti-Israeli settlements. One reporter asked him what Obama will do if Israel fails to heed his call. Obama responded:

"I think it is important not to assume the worst but to assume the best."

Obama still seeks for a “two-state” solution but doesn’t want to force the issue with an “artificial time-table”. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also told Netanyahu to halt the settlement growth. Robert Malley, former special assistant for Arab-Israeli affairs to Clinton told Guardian:

"The surprise in this is not the Israeli position. The surprise the forcefulness of the American one. Rarely have we seen it at this pace and with this intensity and unambiguity. The US has taken a position that doesn't give much wriggle room at all to the Israeli government."