The US slammed a January 28 conference in Jerusalem aimed at encouraging the reestablishment of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. The meeting attended by nearly one-third of PM Netanyahu’s cabinet appeared to endorse coercive measures to promote Palestinian emigration. A statement issued by the US National Security Council spokesperson said the US was “troubled” by the gathering.“We take the (Israeli) prime minister at his word when he says that Israel does not intend to reoccupy Gaza,” Kirby addedFrance also condemned the conference, with its foreign ministry saying it expected the Israeli authorities to “clearly denounce the positions.”