Bush Administration Flip-Flops on Israeli Settlement Policy

The New York Times reports that although the Bush administration did not come right out and say it, the administration gave its approval for Israel to commence with the construction of new settlements in the West Bank. The paper emphasizes that the administration, which had said that the construction of new settlements would be against the Road Map peace process, is now saying that ‘natural growth’ dictates the need for additional Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories.

The newspaper claims that the administration changed its mind in order to avoid conflict with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is currently facing stiff opposition from members of his own party over his plans to withdraw from Gaza. Sharon wants to abandon 21 settlements in Gaza and four in the West Bank.