Likud to PM: We will need to annex W. Bank settlements

MK Danny Danon says more than half of public supports annexation if unilateral declaration of Palestinian state passes in UN.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN, JPOST.COM STAFF
Danny Danon (do not publish again) (photo credit: Flash 90)
Danny Danon (do not publish again)
(photo credit: Flash 90)
More than half of the Israeli public would support responding to the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly by annexing West Bank settlements, a poll sponsored by Likud MK Danny Danon found.
Danon announced the findings at an emergency meeting of Likud MKs and settler activists at the Knesset that was intended to pressure Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to make concessions when he goes to Washington later this week.
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The poll was taken the first week of May among 500 respondents representing a statistical sample of the adult Israeli population, including Arabs. When asked whether they would support annexing "settlement areas in Judea and Samaria in response to the unilateral formation of a Palestinian state," 54.5 percent said yes, 30.4% said no, and 15% had no opinion.
According to Danon, the Likud position on the matter was clear. "Implementing Israeli sovereignty is the only answer to a one-sided declaration from the Palestinian Authority. We, the members of the Likud in the Knessed, will work this  summer to pass Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, our historic heritage."
"We came today to tell Netanyahu that we support him but we expect him to be strong and loyal to the principles of the Likud, despite the pressure he is facing," Danon said at the event. "Netanyahu needs to ask Obama who he wants us to make a deal with? With the people who support Osama bin Laden? He needs to tell him, if you want us to create an al-Qaida state, we say no thank you."