U.S. envoy to Israel apologizes for timing of criticism on West Bank policies

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro apologized for the timing of his criticism of Israel's policies in the occupied territories in the West Bank on Monday, delivered a day after a stabbing attack killed a mother of six in a Jewish settlement.

Shapiro, who spoke with Army Radio and Israel Radio on Monday morning, said he stood behind the message he delivered on Jan. 18 during a security-related conference in Tel Aviv. However, Shapiro stressed he said in his speech that first and foremost, terrorism must end.

"I emphasized in my speech that the first thing that needed to be done is to put an end to terrorism," he told Israel Radio, adding that Israel will not see Palestinians as potential peace partners as long as the lone-wolf stabbing, shooting and vehicular attacks, which claimed the lives of 24 Israelis since October, continues. More than 150 Palestinians were killed during this period.

"We're looking for ways to advance peace and security for Israelis and for Palestinians in accordance with the two-state solution in the future," Shapiro said, adding that the timing of his comments was unintentional, and that he condemned the attack, but reiterated his stance.

On Monday, Shapiro also denounced Israel's expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, saying that "while there's no peace process, no possibility for talks or diplomatic horizon, and as the settlements are expanding and violence is sometimes directed at Palestinians, there's doubt," he said, as far as the prospects for a peace process.

In his comments last week, Shapiro said Washington was "concerned" and "perplexed" over Israel's policies in the West Bank territories, and the double standards used against Jews and Palestinians in these territories.

He then accused Israel of turning a blind eye to settlers' violence against Palestinians, adding that Israel employs two sets of rules for Israelis and Palestinians, and that many incidents of violence towards Palestinians remain unchecked.

The statements were made a day after a Palestinian assailant stabbed and killed a Jewish woman in the settlement of Otniel.

Shapiro's comments were criticized, among others by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, specifically for its timing.

Netanyahu said at the cabinet meeting on Sunday that his government is committed to West Bank settlements.

"The government supports settlement at any time, especially now when it is under terrorist assault and is taking a courageous and determined stand in the face of terrorist attacks," Netanyahu said. Endit