Carter Reiterates West Bank Settlements Are Illegal but Says He Will Not Pressure Israel About Them

President Carter reiterated today that he considered the establishment by Israel of settlements on the West Bank as “illegal” and an “obstacle to peace” but declared he will not “pressure” the Jewish State to reverse its settlement policy.

Carter’s comments were made at his press conference in response to a question as to whether the U.S. plans to do more than express “concern” about the recent moves by the government of Premier Menachem Begin in the West Bank.

The President noted that his Administration as well as previous ones have considered the West Bank, the Golan Heights and the Gaza Strip as occupied territory and that all settlements established in any of those places by Israel are in violation of Geneva conventions and “illegal.” He said the U.S. has pointed out to the Begin government that its recent announcement of establishing more settlements on the West Bank also “creates an obstacle to peace.” He said he felt this admonishment was “sufficient.” Carter also pointed out that he was assured by the Begin government privately as well as in public statements made by the Israelis that these settlements will not be permanent but are in areas that will be included in negotiations for a final Middle East peace settlement. Pressed again as to whether this was all he planned to do about the West Bank settlements, Carter replied, “Obviously we can exert pressure on Israel in other ways, but I have no intention of doing so.”

In a related development, Carter was described yesterday as indifferent to “goads” from media commentators who are suggesting he pit his power against Israel for its West Bank actions and refusal to have any dealings with the Palestine Liberation Organization. “I think the President has demonstrated his indifference to goods from almost every quarter in foreign as well as domestic policy,” Presidential News Secretary Jody Powell said. “He will do what he thinks is best in that area.”