"Israel's next move will depend on the stance of President Trump, who blocked Israeli annexations twice in his first term. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Axios the administration doesn't yet have a position. "I don't know how extensive [the planned annexation] is. I'm not sure there is common view inside the Israeli government about where would it be and how much," he said. Some Israeli officials claim the Trump administration won't oppose annexation because they're so angry at the countries planning to recognize Palestine."
"Driving the news: Countries including Australia, Canada, France and the U.K. announced they will recognize the State of Palestine during the UN General Assembly in late September, joining the nearly 150 countries that already do. Israel and the U.S. oppose are trying to deter those countries by taking punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority and threatening even harsher steps if recognition takes place."
"Behind the scenes: Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar have told several European counterparts that Israel could annex parts of the West Bank if they go forward with recognizing Palestine, two Israeli and European officials said. One European official said Dermer even told French President Emmanuel Macron's Middle East adviser, Anne-Claire Legendre, that Israel would annex all of "Area C," which constitute 60% of the West Bank."
Israel's next move on West Bank annexation depends on the U.S. presidential stance, since previous presidential intervention blocked annexations twice. The U.S. administration currently has no formal position and uncertainty exists within the Israeli government about the planned annexation's scope and locations. Several countries, including Australia, Canada, France and the U.K., plan to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in late September. Israel and the U.S. are pursuing punitive measures to deter those recognitions, including visa restrictions for senior Palestinian officials and revocations. Israeli ministers warned European counterparts that Israel could annex substantial areas of the West Bank, and Israeli leaders are considering retaliatory steps.
Read at Axios
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