On her recent trip to the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent conflicting messages on the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. During a stopover in Jerusalem, she praised Israel for its offer to restrict but not to stop Israeli settlements.

Clinton’s praise was rightfully seen as retreating from a tough stance by the Obama administration on Israeli settlements. Clinton clumsily tried to explain that her comments were intended as “positive reinforcement” to the Netanyahu government in Israel.

Responding to criticism, she clarified the Obama administration’s position stating: “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.”

Despite her diplomatic misstep, the Obama administration’s position on Israeli settlements in the West Bank is in line with long-standing U. S. policy, one that has been adopted by every American administration for more than 40 years. There is no doubt Israeli settlements are an impediment to Middle East peace and a major obstacle to finding a just and lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Obama administration needs to consistently communicate that message to Israel and not waver.

Greg Slabodkin

Kenmore