US does not oppose Israeli development of West Bank settlements, Huckabee says

The US ambassador to Israel stated that the United States does not oppose the "massive" development of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, asserting it is not a violation of international law. Ambassador Mike Huckabee specified that decisions on development, including in the sensitive E1 area, are for the Israeli government to make. This stance directly contradicts the position of Human Rights Watch and the European Union, who consider the settlements illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention and a war crime. The statement comes as Israel's finance minister plans to advance the E1 settlement project, which critics argue would divide the West Bank and prevent a contiguous Palestinian state.