{"id":206748,"date":"2014-10-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=206748"},"modified":"2019-03-12T19:14:57","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:14:57","slug":"auto-insert-206748","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-206748\/","title":{"rendered":"US views settlement activity as illegitimate and opposes unilateral steps that prejudge future of Jerusalem – USDoS press briefing\/Non-UN document (excerpts)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jen Psaki Washington, DC<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n October 27, 2014<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n \/…<\/p><\/div>\n ISRAEL<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n \/…<\/p><\/div>\n TRANSCRIPT:<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n 1:37 p.m. EDT<\/p><\/div>\n \/…<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> On Israel, could you talk about Israel accelerating new settlement units that was just announced today, and if you – we could just follow on last week. It just seems that there’s a little bit of acrimony between the U.S. and Israel right now surrounding the defense minister’s visit, Israel now with these settlements and what’s going on.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well, we’ve seen – they’ve been reports. There haven’t been an official announcement at this point in time. We’re certainly deeply concerned by the reports. We are engaging at the highest levels with the Israeli Government from our Embassy on the ground to get —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Does that mean the President’s called?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> No. We’re – I said on the ground – from our Embassy on the ground to get more information. And we continue to make our position absolutely clear that we view settlement activity as illegitimate and unequivocally oppose unilateral steps that prejudge the future of Jerusalem. Israel’s leaders have said they would support a pathway to a two-state solution, but moving forward with this type of action would be incompatible with the pursuit of peace, and that is certainly a message that we are conveying directly.<\/p><\/div>\n In terms of our relationship, the defense relationship, as you know, remains as strong as ever and the ties between us are unshakable. There are times when we disagree with actions of the Israeli Government, including settlements, the issue of settlements, where we have deep concerns about some of the steps the government is taking. We express those, but it does not mean that we don’t have a strong and formidable relationship that continues.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Sorry, do – have there – has there been any contact outside of the Embassy with the Israelis since the defense minister left?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I think the Secretary spoke with the prime minister this weekend.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Could you read it out so we can —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Mm-hmm. About what?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I’ll check and see if there’s more to read out from the call. It was not about the visit of the defense minister, obviously.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> It wasn’t?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> No.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> But – okay. So it had to do with your concerns about settlements, or it had to do with the two American children who were —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I will check and see if there’s more to read out for you, Matt.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> All right. So in terms of you making your point clear on settlements when you’re speaking with the Israelis, have they been told that you’re actually going to do anything if they go ahead, or is it just that you’re going to say that you’re upset?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> We’ve expressed our view exactly as I just expressed it, Matt.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> So there isn’t – so there is no consequence, then, beyond you just saying that you think it’s —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> This is often your question when we have a discussion on this issue.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Well, I’m just wondering if this time it would be different —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well, I think, as we said —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> — because what —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> — many times before, there obviously is – you’ve seen reactions from the international community. You’ve seen our strong reactions from here. And I’m going to leave it at that.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Yeah, but those strong reactions don’t actually – it doesn’t stop them from doing anything, though.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> So I’m just wondering if this time – if they go ahead with what you were just talking about, that you’re deeply concerned, I’m wondering if it will actually draw a consequence —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well, I think the key —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> — other than you getting angry from the podium.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> The key challenge, Matt, I think, is if Israel wants to see – wants to live in a peaceful society, they need to take steps to reduce tensions and to avoid steps that are going to be incompatible with peace. And that’s consequences that they would – they would – that would impact them directly.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Are you saying that – I mean, do you think now that, basically, Israel is kind of giving up on that and is just going ahead with its own unilateral plans?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I didn’t say that. I would leave it at what I just said, which is that it’s incompatible with their stated desire to live in a peaceful society.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> You called – late on Friday you issued a fairly strong statement in your name calling for a speedy and transparent investigation into the killing of a U.S. citizen apparently by – or your statement said by the Israeli Defense Forces. It’s been 48 hours since – more than that, actually – 60 hours, say, since you issued that statement. Have you yet seen a speedy and transparent or speedy or transparent investigation by the Israelis?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well, Arshad, I don’t have a day-to-day evaluation of the investigation. We remain closely engaged with authorities. Our consulate-general in Jerusalem is in contact with the family, but obviously, we want to see that investigation rapidly concluded.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Is the FBI involved in that?<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Could you ask – can I keep going on this? Forgive me. You asked for it to be fast. Has it been fast?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> It’s been moving forward. I don’t have an evaluation of the investigation timeline.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Could you take that one for us? Because you asked —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I will let you know if there’s more that we can convey.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> — publicly for a speedy investigation. More than two days has gone by. A U.S. citizen is dead, and it —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I’m well aware. That’s why we put out the statement on Friday.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> And that’s exactly why I’m asking if you’ve actually seen whether or not there has been a speedy investigation.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I will let you know if there’s more we want to convey from the U.S. Government.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Is the U.S. Government involved in the investigation? Have any – is the FBI involved in any way, or if this is the Israeli Defense Force —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Local authorities have the lead, Elise. Not that I’m aware of.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Well – but, I mean, usually in the killing of an American citizen – I mean, usually the FBI or some other kind of U.S. law enforcement agency would be involved in the investigation. You’re just leaving it up to the Israelis to investigate these – supposed Israeli killing of an American citizen?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I will check to see if there are any U.S. officials involved.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Jen, there was another U.S. citizen who was killed in – last week as well, a child. And you put out a statement —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> We did.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> — about that as well, Actually, a baby, I guess, is the correct —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Yes. A three-month-old baby.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Yes. How is the investigation into that going?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I don’t have any updates on the investigations. I would encourage you all to ask the Israeli authorities that question.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Okay. Several —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> (Inaudible.)<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Hold on, Elise. Several months ago, there was a shooting – there was an incident involving a shooting of some Palestinian youths. They weren’t Americans, but you called at that time for an – this was the video, the one that was captured on videotape. Are you aware of the results of that Israeli investigation?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I would encourage you to ask the Israeli authorities for —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> All right. And then —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> — any outcomes they would like to share with you.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> In the case of the Palestinian American teenager who was killed on Friday, are you – do you know the circumstances under which he was shot?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I don’t have any more details.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> There are – okay. The reason I ask is because there are reports out there that he was throwing Molotov cocktails at cars on a highway. And I’m wondering, if that is the case, would you have still been so speedy in putting out a statement and offering your condolences to the family? The argument that is being made by some in Israel is that this kid was essentially a terrorist. And you don’t agree with that, I assume, but I don’t know, so that’s why I’m asking.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Correct, we don’t. I don’t have any more details on the circumstances now.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> So you – does that – that would apply even if he was throwing Molotov cocktails?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I’m not going to speculate. I don’t have details to share.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> All right. The other thing —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Back to the baby – back to the —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Well, I’ve got – I’ve got to get one more on this and then I’m done. There is a photograph of this teenager’s – this teenager being buried today, and he’s wearing a Hamas headband. It was put on him, obviously. Is that of concern at all to you guys?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I just don’t have any more on this particular case.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Back to the baby. Can you – I mean, supposedly it was by Palestinian militants or whomever, not by the Israelis. Could you say or check whether – that the U.S. is involved in the investigation into the killing, into that car accident?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I will see if there is U.S. involvement in either of the cases.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Thank you.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Jen, you said that Israeli leaders are committed to the two-state solution. Have you read the interview with the Israeli defense minister this weekend?<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> I said they have stated that, but obviously —<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Okay. But he actually —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> — actions like settlement activity are inconsistent with that.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> Okay. Well, let me get your reaction to what he said. He actually – he says that no, not a two-state solution, that the Palestinians basically will not give more than some sort of an autonomy, that both Abbas, as his predecessor Arafat, are not committed to peace, they don’t accept Israel, and so on. I mean, he said some strong stuff.<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> Well, Said, I have not looked at the interview. But as you know, there are some who are not supporters of a two-state solution or a peaceful outcome.<\/p><\/div>\n QUESTION:<\/strong> So —<\/p><\/div>\n MS. PSAKI:<\/strong> So I don’t think that’s —<\/p><\/div>\n
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