By Israel Hayom—
A US State Department official said that Washington was ready to recognize Israel’s annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria, local media reported Monday.
“As we have made consistently clear, we are prepared to recognize Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as being part of the State of Israel,” a US State Department spokesperson was quoted by The Times of Israel as saying. According to the report, the move would be “in the context of the government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump’s vision. … The annexation would be in the context of an offer to the Palestinians to achieve statehood based upon specific terms, conditions, territorial dimensions and generous economic support. This is an unprecedented and highly beneficial opportunity for the Palestinians.”
The Trump administration’s “deal of the century” for peace in the Middle East was unveiled in January, and all but endorsed Israel’s with to apply sovereignty to the large settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria as well as the Jordan Valley.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was certain that President Trump will honor the pledge to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements.
The US plan enraged the Palestinians, who have refused to negotiate with the Trump administration and accused it of being grossly biased in Israel’s favor.
Last week, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said annexation was ultimately “an Israeli decision.” Continue Reading…
