(RTTNews) -  While visiting Marrakech, Morocco on Monday as part of her trip to the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a statement in which she called for continued progress between Israel and the Palestinians towards a two-state solution.

In her statement, Clinton said that Israel had taken things in the right direction with its decision to stop establishing settlements in Palestinian territory.

"The Israelis have responded to the call from the United States, the Palestinians and the Arab world to stop settlement activity by expressing a willingness to restrain settlement activity," Clinton said. "They will build no new settlements, expropriate no land, allow no new construction or approvals."

She added that, though Israel's decision falls far short of the goals the Obama administration is trying to reach in dealing with the Israel/Palestinian conflict, it would still represent a significant step on Israel's part.

"If it is acted upon, it will be an unprecedented restriction on settlements and would have a significant and meaningful affect on restraining their growth," Clinton said.

She further stated she would "offer positive reinforcement to the parties when I believe they are taking steps that support the objective of reaching a two-state solution."
According to Clinton, when she met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she said the "positive steps" taken by Palestine to improve security in the occupied West Bank "should be met by positive steps from Israel."

"Israel has done a few things in that regard but they need to do much more," Clinton argued.

Clinton reiterated that the administration's goal is to establish "a two-state solution with a state that represents the aspirations of the Palestinian people - the sovereignty and to have control over their own future, and provide the security guarantees to Israel for their own future."

She added, "And when either party takes any steps that looks like it moves us in the right direction - even if it is not what I would like or what I would like prefer - I'm going to positively reinforce that."

The trip marks the second to the region for Clinton since Obama took office. Her last trip was back in March, when she promised that the U.S. would work towards peace between Israel and Palestine on "many fronts."

Netanyahu has recently said he would reluctantly enter into negotiations for the creation of a Palestinian state, but only if it is demilitarized and if Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

by RTT Staff Writer

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