Richard Gere criticizes Israeli settlements
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}American actor Richard Gere speaks during a press conference at the Israeli premiere of the "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" movie, in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Richard Gere lashed out at Israel over its settlements in territory that Palestinians want for a state.
"Settlements are such an absurd provocation ... and they are certainly not part of the program of someone who wants a genuine peace process," the actor is quoted saying in the Haaretz newspaper on Sunday.
The international community mostly views settlements as an obstacle to creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel in territory it captured in the 1967 war.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel says settlements should be resolved in peace talks.
The "Pretty Woman" actor went to Jerusalem for the premiere of a new film by Israeli writer-director Joseph Cedar in which he stars.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.