Trump Aides Begin Discussions on Israel’s West Bank Annexation Plan
- Trump Aides Begin Discussions on Israel’s West Bank Annexation Plan
by https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/
Senior aides to US President Donald Trump began discussions on Tuesday on whether to give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a green light for his plan to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a US official and a person familiar with the deliberations.
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With Netanyahu’s July 1 target date approaching, the White House meeting included Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and the US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, the US official said.
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Trump, whose support Netanyahu is counting on for a move that has drawn condemnation from the Palestinians and US Arab allies, did not participate, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. But US sources have said he could join in later as this week’s deliberations continue.
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Under Trump’s Middle East peace proposal unveiled in January, it is envisaged that the United States would recognize the Jewish settlements – built on land the Palestinians seek for a state – as part of Israel.
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Trump’s proposal would eventually create a Palestinian state under a broader peace plan but impose strict conditions on it. Palestinian leaders have completely rejected the initiative.
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Encouraged by Trump’s push, Netanyahu intends to launch his project of extending sovereignty over the settlements and the Jordan Valley, hoping for US approval. Most countries view Israel’s settlements as illegal, and Palestinian leaders have voiced outrage at the prospect of annexation.
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