US willing to recognize extension of Israeli sovereignty parts of West Bank in context of negotiations with Palestinians

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The US State Department said Monday it was prepared to recognize actions taken by Israel to extend Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. However, this recognition would be “in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump’s [peace plan],” a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel.

Unveiled earlier this year, Trump’s peace plan supports annexation in the context of a two-state solution: “Approximately 97% of Israelis in the West Bank will be incorporated into contiguous Israeli territory, and approximately 97% of Palestinians in the West Bank will be incorporated into contiguous Palestinian territory. Land swaps will provide the State of Palestine with land reasonably comparable in size to the territory of pre-1967 West Bank and Gaza.”

The unity government deal that was recently agreed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz stipulates that US support is required for any Israeli annexation activity. Once this support has been obtained, the government deal provides that, from July 1, Netanyahu can “bring the agreement reached with the US on the application of sovereignty [in the West Bank] for the approval of the cabinet and or the Knesset.”

However, the Palestinian leadership has so far refused to negotiate with the Trump administration and have rejected the peace plan as biased in favor of Israel. The Times of Israel reported last week that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he would cancel all accords with the US and Israel if annexation activity began.

Referring to the advantages to Palestinians of getting on board with the peace plan, the US spokesperson told the Times of Israel on Monday: “The annexation would be in the context of an offer to the Palestinians to achieve statehood based upon specific terms, conditions, territorial dimensions, and generous economic support.”

Latest Worthy News