The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2020

14 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL U.S. Reverses Policy on Israeli Settlements I n a major reversal of U.S. policy, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a Nov. 18 press conference said that “establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law.” In 1978 the State Department had determined that the settlements do violate international law, and that remains the international consensus opinion, according to a CNN report. Secretary Pompeo added that the U.S. government is “expressing no view on the legal status of any individual settlement” or “addressing or prejudging the ultimate status of the West Bank.” Pompeo stated: “Calling the establish- ment of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law hasn’t worked. It hasn’t advanced the cause of peace. The hard truth is there will never be a judicial resolution to the conflict, and arguments about who is right and wrong as a matter of international law will not bring peace. This is a complex political problem that can only be solved by negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.” In a Nov. 18 statement, the Euro- pean Union said that its “position on Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territory is clear and remains unchanged: all settlement activity is ille- gal under international law, and it erodes the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace.” The E.U. called on Israel to “end all settlement activity, in line with its obliga- tions as an occupying power.” National Security Needs Diplomats I rise to speak up for those who serve our country all around the world, courageously, selflessly, with great sacrifice. I rise on behalf of our diplomatic corps, our Foreign Service Officers, civil servants, and State Depart- ment personnel. I rise on behalf of patriotic Americans serving our country on the front lines of war zones and devastating conflicts, in countries with oppressive governments and societies hostile to our own. Our national security is stronger because of them. American people are safer because of them. Our chil- dren’s futures will be more secure, more prosperous, because of them. And because of them and their hard work and sacrifice, our grandchildren may know a world with less pain, less strife, less conflict. And yet they have come under attack, simply for serving their country. –Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), in a statement on the Senate floor, Nov. 14. Being There The State Department is part of the bedrock of our national security. Its diplomats are our eyes and ears on the ground across the globe. These men and women are the tip of the spear for advancing U.S. interests overseas, our first line of defense against malign influences, and a vital lead in negotiations to make sure that our relationships with friends and foes abroad don’t go off the rails. We need to make sure that our diplomats are getting the support they need to get outside the walls of our diplomatic posts. I can assure you Chinese, Russian and Iranian diplo- mats don’t have trouble getting off their embassy compounds. –Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho), at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, “The Future of U.S. Policy Towards Russia,” Dec. 3. Neither Democrats Nor Republicans Our diplomats are not Democrats or Republicans; they are fighting for American values. –Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing for Stephen Biegun, Nov. 20. Heard on the Hill JOSH —U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent, testifying during the public impeachment hearings, Nov. 13. Seen here in cross-stitch design as first shared on The Rachel Maddow Show as “Best NewThing in the World Today: Impeachment Embroidery.” Contemporary Quote