White House rebukes Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

“That action is contrary to Israel’s stated goal of negotiating a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians, and it would send a very troubling message if they were to proceed with tenders or construction,” he said.

Earnest was responding to questions about the statement made by Netanyahu in an interview over the weekend.

“It’s against the American values. And it doesn’t bode well for peace. The idea that we’d have this ethnic purification as a condition for peace, I think it’s anti-peace,” Netanyahu told the CBS news.

The White House rebuked it.

“I did see the Prime Minister’s remarks, and it did seem odd for him to try to defend the actions of his government by saying that our response did not reflect American values. The fact is, American policy has been clear and unchanged under several administrations, both Democrat and Republican,” Earnest said.

“We oppose any unilateral actions that attempt to prejudge final status issues, including the status of Jerusalem. These can only be legitimately determined through direct negotiations between the parties that this President has worked hard to try to facilitate,” he said.

He said when it came to American values, the country lent unwavering support to Israel.

It’s American values that have led us to fight for and secure funding to strengthen Israel’s security in tangible ways,” he said.

“It’s American values that have led us to fund and build an Iron Dome system that has protected the lives of countless innocent Israeli citizens. It’s American values that have led the US to fully support Israel’s right to defend itself. And it’s American values that have led us to defend Israel in a variety of international forums, including a variety of UN forums,” he added.

“So it’s clear how American values dictate or at least guide our thinking when it comes to our unwavering support for the nation of Israel,” he said.