FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. An Israeli newspaper quoted President Donald Trump on Friday, Feb. 10, as saying that settlement expansion in land claimed by the Palestinians does not advance peace indicating there might be some difficult discussions on the topic at the heart of the conflict in a high profile White House meeting with Netanyahu next week. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool Photo via AP, File) (The Associated Press)
JERUSALEM – An Israeli newspaper is quoting President Donald Trump as saying that settlement expansion in land claimed by the Palestinians does not benefit peace.
The remarks came in a Trump interview with Yisrael Hayom, a pro-Benjamin Netanyahu paper, just days before the Israeli prime minister is to visit the White House.
Trump is quoted as saying that he is not a person who believes that proceeding with settlements is good for peace.
The interview was published on Friday in Hebrew. An English transcript of Trump's quotes was not available.
Netanyahu's hawkish coalition is emboldened after Trump has signaled a softer approach to the settlement issue.
The Palestinians claim the West Bank and east Jerusalem as part of their future state. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal.
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