U.S. reverses policy on Israeli settlements

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. would no longer consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law.

The change overturns four decades of American policy and removes an important barrier to annexation of the territory. It may also doom any peace efforts with the Palestinians.

Palestinians have demanded the land for a future state, a goal that has been backed by the United Nations, European governments and American allies across the Middle East.

President Trump has persistently changed U.S. policy with an aim to bolster political support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who failed to form a government after two rounds of elections.