Washington – The U.S. ambassador to Israel has raised eyebrows by saying the country occupies just “2 percent” of the West Bank.
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David Friedman also told the Israeli news site Walla on Thursday that Jewish settlements “are part of Israel.”
His remarks are at odds with decades of U.S. policy and come as President Donald Trump is trying to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel captured the West Bank in 1967. The Palestinians have limited autonomy in 40 percent of the area, with Israel in full control over the remaining 60 percent.
Palestinians demand the West Bank as part of a future state. The international community views settlements there as illegal.
Friedman refused to say if settlements would be removed in a peace deal.
Is he referring to the toilets that have a sign “occupied”?
I believe the whole area belong to the Jews, but this statement sounds like distorting the truth and therefore not helpful. It may be a true statement, but does not resonate truth.