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VOLUMES 4-5: 1977-1979
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24. U.S. reaction to Israeli settlements announcement, statement by State Department Spokesman, 26 July 1977.
While the State Department spokesman issued the following statement, Secretary of State Vance said to the press: "We are deeply disappointed, we have consistently stated and reiterated during the Prime Minister's visit here that such settlements are contrary to international law and are an obstacle to the peace making process."
We have been in touch with the Israel Government about the report regarding the settlements. It has informed us that it is taking action to give legal status to the existing settlements on the West Bank. It is our understanding that the former government has refused to legalize at least one of these settlements. We have consistently made clear, including in our recent talks in Washington, our view that the establishment of settlements in the occupied territories is not only contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention, but also constitutes an obstacle to progress in the peace making process. We are deeply disappointed in this development.
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