Netanyahu Says He Will Continue With His Annexation Plan

Published May 28th, 2020 - 11:57 GMT
Israeli protesters rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem on May 24, 2020. The veteran premier, who has just forged a unity government after over a year of political turmoil, now faces the next challenge -- being the country's first premier to face criminal charges while in office. Netanyahu addressed reporters before entering the Jerusalem District Court where he was to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He condemned the "fabricated and ludicrous
Israeli protesters rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Jerusalem on May 24, 2020. The veteran premier, who has just forged a unity government after over a year of political turmoil, now faces the next challenge -- being the country's first premier to face criminal charges while in office. Netanyahu addressed reporters before entering the Jerusalem District Court where he was to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He condemned the "fabricated and ludicrous" allegations and declared: "I'm here with a straight back and my head held high." Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP
Highlights
Netanyahu added that Palestinians must recognize that Israel "control security in all areas."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will continue with his annexation plan in occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli daily Israel Hayom published on Thursday that Palestinians living within annexed areas in Jordan Valley and West Bank will "remain Palestinian subjects in enclaves" under the Israeli security control with no Israeli citizenship.

"If they [Palestinians] agree to all that [Netanyahu's conditions], then they’ll have an entity of their own that President Trump defines as a state,” Netanyahu was quoted said.

He said that Palestinians have to meet 10 difficult conditions according to Trump's plan to have their state.

The conditions include that Palestinians recognize "Israeli sovereignty in the territories west of Jordan, keeping Jerusalem united, the non-entry of even a single refugee, no uprooting of communities, and Israeli sovereignty on extensive swaths of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], and so on and so forth."

Netanyahu added that Palestinians must recognize that Israel "control security in all areas."

Israel is expected to annex parts of the West Bank on July 1, as agreed between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, the head of the Blue and White party.

The plan comes as part of US President Donald Trump’s so-called Deal of the Century that was announced on Jan. 28, which refers to Jerusalem as “Israel’s undivided capital” and recognizes Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank.

The plan calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the form of an archipelago connected by bridges and tunnels.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is seen as occupied territory under international law, thus making all Jewish settlements there – as well as the planned annexation – illegal.

This article has been adapted from its original source.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content