"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

New Animated 'JESUS' Film Announced for Worldwide Release

Christian Trucking Company Fined $700K by Biden's 'Justice' Department, Wait Till You Read Why...

Apple TV Star Condemns Progressives for Blind Support of Hamas, Shares No-Holds-Barred Opinion

Update: IDF Hits 200 Hamas Terror Targets as Gaza Ground Op Expands

CA Mom Begs SCOTUS to Protect Parental Rights after Gender-Confused Daughter's Suicide

Utah State QB Chooses to Forgo His Final Season to Become a Different Kind of Hero

Danielle Smith Warns Trudeau Government She's Going Ahead With Natural Gas Projects Despite Regulations

DeSantis DOMINATES in Red State-Blue State Governors Debate With Newsom [Video]

Trial Date Set: Court Docs Say VA Election Official 'Altered Election Results' in 2020 Election

Deutsche Bank May Have Just Destroyed Letitia James' Civil Fraud Case against Trump

Rep George Santos Expelled from Congress

Former Justice O'Connor, First Woman to Serve on US Supreme Court Dies at 93

Israeli Hostages Recount Beatings, Death Threats in Captivity

IDF Resumes Combat in Gaza after Hamas Violates Ceasefire

Religious Freedom Victory: US Capitol Tree Removes Ban on Ornaments Displaying 'Religious Symbols' from Being Displayed on the 2023 Tree

Lack of 'Affirmation' Is Child Abuse: New Biden Rule Applies Transgender Standard to Foster Care

Poll Shows Nationwide Support for Parental Notification Policies in Schools

US House Proposes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood, Banning 'Sex Changes' With Taxpayer Dollars

Hamas Hostage's Mother Shares Horrific Details of What She Heard During Terror Attack, Her Warning to the World

Three Killed, 6 Wounded in Jerusalem Terror Attack as Gaza Cease-Fire Extended Another Day