Netanyahu Criticizes Settlement Leaders for Anti-Trump Comments

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized settlement leaders on Wednesday for their comments regarding what they see as problems with U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan, which they claim will leave many settlements isolated.

“President Trump is a great friend of Israel’s. He has led historic moves for Israel’s benefit. It is regrettable that instead of showing gratitude, there are those who are denying his friendship,” Netanyahu said in a statement, according to the AP.

The settler leaders have voiced concern that the maps they have seen leave many settlements in Judea and Samaria as isolated enclaves. They also reject any recognition of a Palestinian state, as outlined in the American plan, and have pressed Netanyahu to make changes to the plan accordingly.

David Elhayani, chairman of the umbrella Yesha Council representing the settlers, told Haaretz on Wednesday that the U.S. plan demonstrated Trump was “not a friend of Israel.”

Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin, according to the report, called Elhayani’s remarks “rude and irresponsible,” and especially damaging at a time when “an important effort to advance the historic process of applying sovereignty” to parts of Judea and Samaria.