On Sunday's Today show, as he read a brief item on the passing of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, NBC's Ron Mott recounted criticism painting the conservative Israeli leader as "increasing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians" by expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Mott:
Israel is mourning the death of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. He died Saturday at age 96 after a long illness. Shamir had friendly ties with the U.S., but he was criticized for expanding settlements on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, increasing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
