"After carefully studying all sides of the legal debate, this administration agrees with President Reagan. The establishment of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank is not, per se, inconsistent with international law," Pompeo explained.

Israel's settlements in the so-called West Bank–which is actually the Biblical region of Judea and Samaria–are really full-sized towns and small cities, some with tens of thousands of residents.

President Obama argued the settlements were illegal under international law, so his policy at the UN and in Washington was to prevent new construction. In 2009, he said the "settlements have to be stopped in order for us to move forward."

But Pompeo says that simply hasn't been successful. "Calling the establishing of civilian settlements inconsistent with international law hasn't worked. It hasn't advanced the cause of peace," he insisted.

Israelis were elated at the news and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the decision, calling it a historic day for Israel.

"After President Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and recognized our sovereignty over the Golan Heights, now the American administration put an end to the lie that settlements are illegal. I thank President Trump and I thank Secretary of State Pompeo," said a grateful Netanyahu.

The Palestinian Authority called it a total departure from solving the conflict by peaceful means. "They are replacing international law with the law of the jungle," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Since 1978, the US State Department has considered the settlements to be in violation of international law, and in January 2017, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution declaring all of Judea and Samaria occupied territory.

On the CBN News Channel program "Faith Nation," State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the US is responding to UN bias against Israel.

"They continually try and isolate and discriminate against Israel and we here in the United States will not stand for the policy," she said. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Memorial Day 2023: Everything You Need to Know About the Day of Remembrance

Sadie Robertson Huff Welcomes Second Baby: 'Life Got a Whole Lot Sweeter'

Franklin Graham Challenges Religious Broadcasters: 'The Storm Is Coming; Don't Apologize for the Gospel—Just Declare It, Just Preach It'

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Give Federal Government Massive Power over Online Platforms

Exposed: Doctors Paid Massive Bonuses to Push Experimental Jabs on Children

Black Lives Matter Close to Insolvency as Execs Take Home Six to Seven Figure Paychecks

'Start Pushing Back': Lawmakers Slam LGBTQ+ 'Youth Carnival' That Bars Parents

2 Youths Commit Suicide in Taxpayer-Funded Trans-Hormone Experiment; Lawmakers Demand Answers

Target Moves LGBT Displays after Conservative Boycott but Will Still 'Celebrate Pride Month'

Discovered: Place Where Jesus Was Judged by Pontius Pilate

'My Daughter Would Still Be Alive': Mom Testifies About MS-13 Gang Member's Catch-and-Release

Jim Caviezel Blows Lid Off Child Trafficking, Epstein Island, Hollywood in Steve Bannon Interview on New Movie

'Bud-Light Effect': Target Stock Sinks Nearly 10 Percent amid Pride Backlash

College Students Sue Professor Who Forced Students to Fund Left-Wing Political Group

'Black Marxist' Professor Fired after Vandalizing Pro-Life Display, Chasing Reporter with Machete

Why Do Leftists Get a Pass on Their Racism Toward Tim Scott, and Other Black Republicans?

Governor Ron DeSantis Formally Announces Presidential Run In Twitter Spaces Interview With Elon Musk

God's Amazing Grace: a Father Adopts the Young Man Who Murdered His Son

Appeals Court Returns Counterfeit Ballot Case to Lower Court; VoterGA Seeks Recusal to Prevent Obstruction of Ballot Inspection

Largely Unnoticed, WHO Moves Forward with Global Governance Plan that Rivals a George Orwell Novel