“While the United States had pressured Israel to reject settlement expansion, the Trump administration has been far less critical of settlements than most of the international community, which generally considers them to be illegal and obstacles to Israeli-Palestinian peace.”

With Moves on West Bank and Gaza City, Israel Defies Global Outcry

“Until now, every American administration had vehemently opposed Israeli housing construction there to preserve the option of a negotiated peace agreement, and the approval granted last week prompted strong international condemnation from many of Israel’s traditional allies.”

E1 Settlement in West Bank Tied to Greater Israel Goal