US "Extremely Troubled" By Rescinding Of 2005 Disengagement Law

US Statement Department Principle Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has told reporters that the US is "extremely troubled" by passage of legislation in Israel rolling back laws preventing settlement in Palestinian territories.

• Patel said rescinding the 2005 disengagement law is 'particularly provocative and counterproductive to efforts to restore calm."
• Patel: "We have been clear that advancing settlements in an obstacle to peace and the achievement of a two state solution."
• Patel says the move violates commitments former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made in writing to former President George W Bush.
• In response to whether the US will take any reactive measures, Patel says US officials will raise concerns with their Israeli counterparts.
• Patel's comments are a sign of the increasingly fractious relationship between Israel and the US on a number of issues, including an ongoing drive by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reform the judiciary. A move which has prompted widespread protests in Israel and drawn criticism from the US for undermining the independence of the judiciary.
• Petal confirms that US commitments to Israel's security is "ironclad" but, "this kind of legislation undermines the two-state solution."