U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on her way to Israel, called Jewish settlement building “a problem” and said Israel had not done enough to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Four Presidents of the United States did not think so. They all subscribed to the following language:

“Whereas recognition has been given to the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country.

“The Administration of Palestine… shall facilitate Jewish immigration… and shall encourage… close settlement by Jews on the land, including State lands and waste lands not required for public purposes.”