Skip to main content

US summons Israeli ambassador as law restraining settlers rescinded

After condemning anti-Palestinian statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the State Department slammed the Israeli government over rolling back parts of the 2005 disengagement law.
 US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks during a meeting to acknowledge the signing of key cooperation agreements between the United States and New Zealand at Parliament on August 09, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. The US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is visiting New Zealand as part of a week-long trip across the Pacific. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Biden administration summoned on Tuesday Israel's ambassador Michael Herzog to express its displeasure over a law that would allow illegal settlement outposts in key areas of the occupied West Bank that were evacuated in 2005.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman conveyed to Herzog the administration’s concern regarding the newly adopted legislation. The State Department offered no other details on the conversation, but the Israeli press stressed that such a meeting is highly unusual between the two countries, reflecting a degradation of relations between the Biden administration and the Netanyahu government.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.