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Reported progress in talks with Trump’s advisor on Israeli ‘settlements’

Netanyahu’s media adviser said progress was made in discussions with Trump’s Israel advisor regarding Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly made headway on Thursday on a US-Israel agreement concerning Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria in a second discussion with President Donald Trump’s senior advisor on Israel, Jason Greenblatt.

“They made progress on the issue of Israeli settlement construction following up on President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s agreement in Washington last month to work out an approach that reflects both leaders’ views,” stated Netanyahu’s media advisor. “Those discussions are continuing between the White House and the Prime Minister’s Office,” the media advisor added.

Netanyahu has faced resistance from staunch advocates of new construction in Judea and Samaria regarding the establishment of a joint mechanism with the Trump administration that will focus on the issue of new housing units in both regions.

However, Yossi Dagan, Chairman of the YESHA Council, an encompassing organization that represents the Israeli communities of Judea and Samaria, had only positive remarks to share about his meeting with Greenblatt on Thursday.

“This conversation is definitely an important step,” Dagan said, who also referred to his meeting with Greenblatt as “interesting” and “pleasant.”

“We have great respect for Trump and the new administration, and are pleased that the new administration is sympathetic and open, with whom a dialogue has been created,” he added.

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Dagan noted, however, that his organization insists the Israeli government put an end to the construction freeze in Judea and Samaria.

“Our requests and requirements are first and foremost with our government and ministers: a significant change and termination of the decrees that have impinged on the basic human rights of half a million people in Judea and Samaria,” Dagan stressed.  “We demand an end to the construction freeze and to build without restrictions.”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News