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Behind the White House Statement on Settlements
(Washington Post) Abby Phillip and Karen DeYoung - The White House on Thursday gently warned Israel that new or expanded settlements in the West Bank "may not be helpful" in achieving Middle East peace. The apparent genesis of the statement was a story in Thursday's Jerusalem Post, which quoted a senior administration official as urging Israel to cease settlement announcements. The White House thought the rebuke, as reported, went too far and issued Spicer's statement in an attempt to dial it back, while also giving itself breathing room as it develops a more comprehensive policy on the Middle East. At the very least, the White House wants to wait until Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington on Feb. 15.