US Ambassador to Israel: We oppose the growth of settlements outside the Green Line

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said in a press conference at a hotel in East Jerusalem that his country opposes the "growth" of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides announced that Washington opposes the "growth" of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"We do not support the growth of settlements. I have made this position clear to the (Israeli) government, and to all parties, including the prime minister," he said at a press conference Wednesday, at a hotel in East Jerusalem.

He added, "We will continue to work with the Israeli government to limit any settlement growth outside Israel's Green Line."

Since taking office early last year, the Joe Biden administration has announced its opposition to settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

On the other hand, Nides indicated that the permanent opening of the Karama crossing "King Hussein Bridge, or Allenby" was postponed from the end of this month to the end of next month.

The White House had announced, during a visit by US President Joe Biden to Bethlehem in the West Bank in mid-July, that the crossing was open around the clock, seven days a week, starting at the end of September.

But the US ambassador said on Wednesday: "I was informed that the crossing will be open around the clock for a trial period, starting from October 24."

The only crossing between the West Bank and Jordan is witnessing overcrowding, which slows the movement of passengers, especially during the summer holidays.

On the other hand, the US ambassador praised Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's declaration of support for the idea of ​​a two-state solution, in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last week.

He said, "We encourage every dialogue between the two parties, and we hope to witness more dialogues."

Nides was speaking at a press conference during which the US Agency for International Development announced the allocation of $6.5 million for non-governmental projects for the benefit of the Palestinians.