Here’s news of an important shift in US Middle East policy, sure to provoke seething in the usual suspects: US supports some growth in West Bank settlements.

NEW YORK (AFP) - In an unannounced policy shift, Washington has given its approval for growth within some Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a report citing US and Israeli officials said.

Although US policy and the internationally-backed roadmap for Middle East peace call for a freeze in all settlement activity, the administration of President George W. Bush now supports construction of new apartments in already built-up areas in some settlements, The New York Times said.

The move reflects a decision this week to lend support to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during a time of political turmoil, an administration official told The Times, describing “a covert policy decision toward accepting natural growth” despite public statements to the contrary.

UPDATE at 8/21/04 2:36:01 pm:

LGF reader Lynn B. points out that this could be simply a case of the New York Times trying to stir up trouble.