Israeli Officials: Annexation Plan Facing Challenges
Arab World
Ramallah - Kifah Zaboun
Israel’s measures to legislate the process of imposing Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and settlements in the West Bank will begin in early July, but requires few weeks to be approved, according to an Israeli official. The head of the Governmental Coalition in Israel, Mickey Zohar, revealed that the government will approve the draft law, and then it will be submitted to the Knesset for voting and approval. Zohar announced that the concerned authorities are currently working on drawing up the maps that will help in reaching an understanding with the US administration about the areas that Israel will impose its sovereignty over. The official opposes the demand for establishing a Palestinian state in exchange for the annexation, expressing his conviction that Israel will not give up the annexation in any case. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel will not miss a “historic opportunity” to extend its sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. The Israeli security services at this stage oppose the annexation and the occupation army believes that applying Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank will not be possible on the ground, given the short period of time in the face of a possible deterioration of the security situation. The Hebrew Walla website quoted security officials as saying that the army estimates the field response to the annexation may be unexpected, and depends on the Palestinians acceptance of the step. The report indicated that Netanyahu might only give a statement on July 1, but delay the annexation process for few months, giving the security establishment time to prepare for an escalation by Palestinians. Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj.-Gen. Kamil Abu-Rukun warned that if the government implements its plan to unilaterally annex portions of the West Bank and Jordan Valley, there will be a wave of violence. Abu-Rukun told Defense Minister Benny Gantz that annexation could lead to a “shattering of security coordination and a wave of violence.” Palestinians could cancel all aspects of security coordination, and the Authority security officers might turn their weapons on Israel, he warned. Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom monitored the paths of “applying sovereignty” and internal and external challenges that might face Israel. The newspaper said that Netanyahu faces multiple paths, including securing a majority in either the Knesset or government in favor of the move. According to the daily, Netanyahu has taken all the necessary steps to implement the annexation process, but he has not decided on the path yet, which will be crucial for the approval. It indicated that the areas in which sovereignty will be applied have been precisely defined through a joint US-Israeli committee, but many ministers and members of the Knesset have still not been informed about details of the plan. The newspaper pointed out that the Israeli decision regarding the application of sovereignty involves some domestic and foreign challenges, especially that Netanyahu has not yet submitted the final map. Hayom says that some of Likud hardline ministers, such as Zeev Elkin or Tzipi Hotovely, may oppose or abstain from voting, while Prime Minister-designate Benny Gantz has not yet decided whether to allow members of his party to vote freely on the issue. Another challenge facing Netanyahu can be described as the political and security risks that will affect the ministers’ stance, especially given the great opposition of the international community. Meanwhile, the Fatah movement called on the Palestinians to be vigilant and cautious in these difficult and crucial times, stressing the need for solidarity and unity.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2304616/israeli-officials-annexation-plan-facing-challenges
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