Israel weighs West Bank annexation as Europe pushes Palestine recognition - Axios
Photo: Several annexation scenarios (Getty Images)
The Israeli government is discussing the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank. The move comes as several Western countries signal their intention to recognize Palestine as a state, Axios reports.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar informed several European colleagues that the country could annex parts of the West Bank if these nations proceed with recognition.
A European official said that Dermer even told France's Middle East Advisor to the President, Anne-Claire Legendre, that Israel would annex the entire "Area C," which covers 60% of the West Bank.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting to explore possible responses to such recognition. The Israeli Security Cabinet is also expected to discuss the issue today, Sunday.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Axios that European plans are prompting Israel to consider annexation.
"What the Europeans are planning to do started causing more and more people in Israel to say that maybe they should start talking of annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria," Huckabee said, using the term the Israeli government applies to the West Bank.
Other annexation options
A senior Israeli official said several annexation scenarios are under consideration. The approach Dermer shared with the French represents the maximalist option.
Axios reports that a second scenario would involve annexing Israeli settlements and the roads leading to them, covering roughly 10% of the West Bank.
A third scenario would include settlements, access roads, and the Jordan Valley, which accounts for about 30% of the territory.
Everything depends on Trump
Most of the international community considers the West Bank an occupied territory. Any Israeli annexation would likely be seen as illegal and provocative.
However, Israel's next steps will depend on the position of Trump. During his first term, he twice blocked Israeli annexations. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the administration has not yet defined its stance.
"I don't know how extensive (the planned annexation -ed.) is. I'm not sure there is a common view inside the Israeli government about where it would be and how much," he said.
Israeli, American, and European officials told Axios about Israel's plans. Some Israeli representatives claim that the Trump administration may not oppose annexation, as they are angry at countries planning to recognize Palestine. At the same time, two US officials stated that, although it is impossible to predict Trump's position, it is unlikely that the administration would approve annexation.
Plans of several countries and the US opposition
Countries including Australia, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom announced plans to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in late September. This would join nearly 150 countries that have already done so.
Israel and the US are seeking to deter these nations. They have taken measures against the Palestinian Authority and warned of even harsher steps if recognition occurs.
On Friday, the US State Department announced it would deny visas to senior Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly in September. Previously issued visas will also be revoked. A State Department official confirmed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be barred from traveling to New York.
