Netanyahu: We want to annex settlements with US support, not without

“We are going to do this with the agreement of the Americans, because this can’t be a one-sided act. We want US consent and we have it,” Netanyahu said.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Mevo'ot Yericho in the Jordan Valley (photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Mevo'ot Yericho in the Jordan Valley
(photo credit: HAIM ZACH/GPO)
Israel's best interest is served in annexing West Bank settlements with United States support and not without, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday as he made a campaign stop in the Jordan Valley.
“We have brought about an unequivocal statement from [US] President [Donald] Trump that he will recognize the application of our sovereignty in the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and on all of our communities in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu said. This means “all of them without any exception” he stressed adding that it also include the vast area that surrounded them.
In speaking of the Trump peace plan which offers Israel sovereignty over 30% of the West Bank, in the first phase of the process rather than at the end, Netanyahu touted this point. Under past plans, Israel had to give something first in order to receive something later and borders were dependent on Palestinian approval. Where as in this plan, Israel apply sovereignty without “Palestinian consent,” Netanyahu said.
He explained that the Ronen Peretz, the director-general of his office, was already working on mapping the territory. The US has said that a six-member joint Israeli-American committee has to map the area and only then can sovereignty be applied.
“We are going to do this with the agreement of the Americans, because this can’t be a one-sided act. We want US consent and we have it,” Netanyahu said.
The Prime Minister’s words and his visit are part of an intense campaign he has undertaken to walk back the damage done by having promised annexation prior to the March 2nd election on the premise that he had US support for such a move. The US has since asked Netanyahu to hold off until after the election, and he has agreed, even though he has come under heavy political pressure to move forward without US support.
Netanyahu spoke at the Mevot Yericho settlement, which he personally transformed from an outpost into a legal community with a special cabinet vote in September. It was intended to be a sign of in intent to apply sovereignty to that area after the formation of a government. To underscore his commitment to the land, he celebrated the Tu B’Shvat holiday by planting a tree in the settlement.
Yesha Council head and Jordan Valley Regional Council head David Elhayani, who has been critical of Netanyahu for not moving ahead with a sovereignty vote now, thanked Netanyahu for his efforts on behalf of the settlements and Mevot Yericho in particular.
“Thank you the development of the Valley.  Immediately after the application of sovereignty you should authorize the creation of five new communities here,” Elhayani said.
In the Jordan Valley, Netanyahu continued to attack his chief political rival Blue and White party head Benny Gantz, who he said would never be able to apply sovereignty because he could only form a government with the Joint List, which would oppose the Trump plan.
Joint List MK Ahmed Tibi “will veto it,” Netanyahu said. He will tell Gantz, “if you annex, you won’t be prime minister.”
Earlier in the day Gantz attacked Netanyahu in the Knesset plenum over Gaza.
Netanyahu has promised eventual Israeli sovereignty in the settlements, but has failed to ensure Israeli sovereignty in the southern part of the country, Gantz said with reference to the continued Palestinian rocket fire and launching of incendiary balloons.
In the Jordan Valley the Prime Minister dismissed his words. “Don’t tell tales. We will lead in security, we will lead in sovereignty,” Netanyahu said.