Hi there,

The job of a journalist is to go to where the silence is — especially when those in power seek to silence voices that question or challenge power. That is what we do at Democracy Now! day in and day out, and we're able to do it because of financial support from people like you — people who trust and depend on our independent reporting. If you believe that freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential to the functioning of a democratic society, please donate today. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you so much.

Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman

Hi there,

U.S. Claims Israeli Settlements Are Not Illegal Under International Law

HeadlineNov 19, 2019

In a sharp reversal of more than 40 years of U.S. policy, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced the United States no longer views Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be in violation of international law — despite a 2016 U.N. resolution declaring the settlements a “flagrant violation” of international law. Monday’s announcement sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians. This is Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Saeb Erekat: “Israeli colonial settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, are not only illegal under international law, they are war crimes. And the statement of Mr. Pompeo, the secretary of state of the United States, is absolutely rejected and must be condemned.”

Soon after Mike Pompeo announced the new U.S. policy, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued a travel warning to Americans in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. We’ll have more on the Israeli settlements and Pompeo’s announcement after headlines. We’ll speak with Palestinian human rights attorney and legal scholar Noura Erakat.

Topics: