International Law in Brief
U.S. Secretary of State Announces that Israeli Settlements in West Bank Do Not Violate International Law
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By: Justine N. Stefanelli | November 18, 2019 - 4:14pm
On November 18, 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the reversal of a longstanding U.S. policy holding Israeli settlements on the West Bank to be unlawful under international law. According to the Washington Post, Pompeo claims that the policy change will "increase the likelihood" of a peace agreement. U.S. policy on the legality of Israeli settlements under international law was previously based on a 1978 legal opinion drafted for the Carter Administration. The full text of Pompeo's speech will be posted on ILIB once it is available.