Ellison speaks out on Israeli settlements

Rep. Keith Ellison. Photo: Flickr

During his trip to the Middle East, Rep. Keith Ellison told Arab News, a publication in Damman, Saudi Arabia, that Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law and are condemned by the United States.

“The East Jerusalem expansions are not in accordance with international law,” Ellison said in an interview. “East Jerusalem is a land that was acquired by conquest and occupation, and UN resolutions are clear; international law is clear – you cannot use warfare to expand your territories and colonize another country.”

He continued, “This is by no means a controversial statement. The US condemned it; the Quartet condemns it, and Saudi Arabia has condemned it. I think most people in Israel want to have peace with the Palestinians, but the current government in Israel is unfortunately not representing that view.”