Israel's Netanyahu announces post-election plan to annex West Bank's Jordan Valley

[webfact]

Israel's Netanyahu announces post-election plan to annex West Bank's Jordan Valley

By Jeffrey Heller

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention on Tuesday to annex the Jordan Valley, a large swathe of the occupied West Bank, if he wins a closely contested election just a week away.

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement that "all signed agreements with Israel and the obligations resulting from them would end" if Netanyahu went through with the move.

 

Israel captured the West Bank in a 1967 war and Palestinians, who signed interim peace deals with Israel in the 1990s that include security cooperation, seek to make the area part of a future state.

 

Israeli political commentators saw Netanyahu's declaration, in a speech broadcast live on Israel's main TV channels, as a bid to siphon support away from far-right rivals who have long advocated annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

 

A map which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed as he delivered a statement is pictured in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

 

"Today, I announce my intention, after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," Netanyahu said in a speech broadcast live on Israeli TV channels, calling the area "Israel's eastern border".

 

That step, he said, could be taken "immediately after the election if I receive a clear mandate to do so from you, the citizens of Israel".

 

Arab League foreign ministers condemned Netanyahu's plan, saying it would undermine any chance of progress towards Israeli-Palestinian peace.

 

Around 65,000 Palestinians and 11,000 Israeli settlers live in the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. The main Palestinian city is Jericho, with around 28 villages and smaller Bedouin communities.

 

Fighting for his political life after an inconclusive election in April, Netanyahu also reaffirmed a pledge to annex all of the settlements Israel has established in the West Bank. But he said that broader step could take longer and required "maximum coordination" with Washington, Israel's close ally.

 

"Out of respect for President Trump and great faith in our friendship, I will await applying sovereignty until release of the president's political plan," he said, referring to a long-awaited blueprint from Washington for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

 

The U.S. plan, Netanyahu reiterated, would likely be presented very soon after Israel goes to the polls on Sept. 17. Netanyahu, head of the right-wing Likud party and in office for the past decade, failed to form a governing coalition following a national ballot in April.

 

"There is no change in United States policy at this time," a Trump administration official said when asked whether the White House supported Netanyahu's move.

 

"We will release our Vision for Peace after the Israeli election and work to determine the best path forward to bring long sought security, opportunity and stability to the region."

 

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said in early May that he hoped Israel would take a hard look at President Donald Trump's upcoming Middle East peace proposal before "proceeding with any plan" to annex West Bank settlements.

 

In an interview with the New York Times in June, U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman said that "under certain circumstances" Israel has the "right to retain some, but unlikely all, of the West Bank".

 

'PERPETUAL CONFLICT'

Hanan Ashrawi, a senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organization, said on Twitter after Netanyahu's announcement that the Israeli leader was out to impose a "greater Israel on all of historical Palestine and (carry) out an ethnic cleansing agenda"."All bets are off. Dangerous aggression. Perpetual conflict," she wrote.

 

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014 and Palestinians have called Trump's proposal dead in the water, even before its publication, citing what they see as his pro-Israel policies.

 

Last March, just before Israel's previous election, Trump - in a move widely seen as an attempt to bolster Netanyahu - recognised Israel's 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in the 1967 conflict.

 

"It's an election stunt and not a very impressive one because it's so transparent," Yair Lapid, co-leader of the centrist Blue and White Party, said in a statement about Netanyahu's plan.

 

Blue and White, led by former armed forces chief Benny Gantz, and Likud are running neck and neck in opinion polls.

 

The Jordan Valley, which Palestinians seek for the eastern perimeter of a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, stretches from the Dead Sea in the south to the Israeli city of Beit Shean in the north.

 

The 2,400 square km (926.65 square mile) valley accounts for nearly 30 percent of the territory in the West Bank. Israel has long said it intends to maintain military control there under any peace agreement with the Palestinians.

 

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Editing by Ed Osmond, Howard Goller and Sonya Hepinstall)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-11

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[Tayaout]

Why not just anex Gaza and all the west bank then be done with it? 

 

It's not like anyone would stop them and everyone know this is what will happen. 

[stevenl]

Of course nethanyahu will not take the long, long promised but yet to be released peace plan into account. Already said to be molded to nethanyahu's wishes, it will be further adapted to suit political reality, so any land grabs are there for him.

[Scott]

Troll post and replies removed.  

 

[Emdog]

There are 400,000 Israeli living in illegal settlements in West Bank. A bit too much like Putin's grab in Crimea and Ukraine. Or in more distant past, US grab of land from native Americans.

[nobodysfriend]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Netanyahu announced his intention on Tuesday to annex the Jordan Valley

That's what it is all about ... legalized land theft . This guy does not want to make peace , but war .

 

[Morch]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

That's what it is all about ... legalized land theft . This guy does not want to make peace , but war .

 

 

It's all about the upcoming elections. Netanyahu got a history of making such announcements at the last minute, especially when he's weary of their outcome. He rarely follows through, and the wording often leaves ample maneuvering room - this one ain't different.

 

I would guess that recent polls and Trump's possible Iran-policy shift have contributed to this spin attempt.

 

As for wanting war - not really. A full blown war is a dodgy business. As for peace - well, either side claims they're down for that, but in effect it's more like each is interested in a version of peace favoring their views.

[Morch]

3 hours ago, Tayaout said:

Why not just anex Gaza and all the west bank then be done with it? 

 

It's not like anyone would stop them and everyone know this is what will happen. 

 

Because these come with a few million Palestinians, and their status will need to  be addressed. It would also be far more controversial, and harder to implement.

 

Don't know that there was any talk about annexing Gaza. Not exactly anyone's wet dream, and not much by way of religious motivation/justification, even.

[Morch]

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

Of course nethanyahu will not take the long, long promised but yet to be released peace plan into account. Already said to be molded to nethanyahu's wishes, it will be further adapted to suit political reality, so any land grabs are there for him.

 

If reading this as anything more than an election-related stunt, then I think he either -

 

(a) Familiar with the so-called peace plan, and jumping the gun assuming the Trump administration would go along and endorse it. Or..

 

(b) Makes a move aimed to preempt certain elements of the supposed "peace plan".

 

But again, I think this relates more to recent polls, the need for a political spin and Netanyahu's pattern of behavior when a close election race reaches the final stage.

[usviphotography]

5 hours ago, Emdog said:

There are 400,000 Israeli living in illegal settlements in West Bank. A bit too much like Putin's grab in Crimea and Ukraine. Or in more distant past, US grab of land from native Americans.

The vast majority of the population of Crimea has been Russian for centuries. Putin did not usher in any population change. It was a Russian majority under the Czar, it was a Russian majority under the USSR, it was a Russian majority under Ukraine, and it remains a Russian majority now that it is back with Russia. Crimea was simply a Russian majority region voting to return to Russia after their government collapsed. West Bank is totally different story. Israel has been intentionally flooding the region with settlers to change its demographic composition. What the Muslims did to Kosovo, or what the Russians did to the Tartars in Crimea back when they first conquered and started building cities in the territory would be a more apt analogy. 

[Pedrogaz]

We have Britain banging on about Iran flouting a rules based system.....where is the outrage at this flouting of the rules based system. 

The West's moral compass has broken and they have descended into rank hypocrisy....they are in fact no better than the people they criticise.

[Emdog]

1 hour ago, usviphotography said:

The vast majority of the population of Crimea has been Russian for centuries. Putin did not usher in any population change. It was a Russian majority under the Czar, it was a Russian majority under the USSR, it was a Russian majority under Ukraine, and it remains a Russian majority now that it is back with Russia. Crimea was simply a Russian majority region voting to return to Russia after their government collapsed. West Bank is totally different story. Israel has been intentionally flooding the region with settlers to change its demographic composition. What the Muslims did to Kosovo, or what the Russians did to the Tartars in Crimea back when they first conquered and started building cities in the territory would be a more apt analogy. 

When Ukraine unilaterally rid itself of nukes back when, Russia signed a treaty promising to respect the integrity of Ukraine and it's borders, full stop. All the excuses about Russian majority are just excuses. There is a reason Russia was sanctioned for this. Duh.

[Elfin]

Well at least Netanyahoo didn't draw a cartoon this time. 

[harada]

If Netanyahu's looking for a new National Security Adviser I know someone who's looking for a job, he'll fit right in with this crowd.

[Credo]

It's quite scary what world leaders can do when given a map and a sharpie.   

[Thorgal]

Nothing to worry...

 

Israel is the only democracy in the region and has an army with high moral values.

 

Plenty of ancient Israelites archeological sites to be discovered soon in Samaria exclusively on the West Bank.

[Morch]

8 hours ago, Thorgal said:

Nothing to worry...

 

Israel is the only democracy in the region and has an army with high moral values.

 

Plenty of ancient Israelites archeological sites to be discovered soon in Samaria exclusively on the West Bank.

 

"Israel is the only democracy in the region and has an army with high moral values."

 

Relative to the neighborhood - mostly yes.

 

"Plenty of ancient Israelites archeological sites to be discovered soon in Samaria exclusively on the West Bank."

 

Many already discovered and surveyed over the years. Hardly necessary anymore as pretext. The last bit ("Samaria exclusively on the West Bank") is redundant.

[dexterm]

If the OP annexation happens it will be the final nail in the coffin of the two state solution, with Israel's new eastern border entirely shared with Jordan. The only problem for Israel is that it cuts off 2.5 million indigenous Palestinians living within Israel's new borders but without equal rights. 

 

The only solutions would be:
1. Ethnic cleansing of the non Jewish indigenous population.
2. Overt apartheid...bantustans of Palestinians living within Israel's external borders but without any civil rights.
3. A single democratic state with a whole host of political solutions: variations from one man one vote through to managed confederation.

 

Thanks to Trump and Netanyahu a single state solution that I thought would take decades to achieve is progressing towards its inevitability.

 

Younger generations of Palestinians, liberal Israeli Jews and diaspora Jewry are beginning to realize this natural conclusion...if we can't agree to divide the land, then share it. The only impediment will be cowardly EU and US leaders who continue the charade of urging negotiations for a mythical two state solution, but without actually applying any pressure to achieve it. So it may mean the business of occupation will continue as usual but hopefully without the facade of a redundant PA, forcing Israel to manage security and to take full responsibility itself for the situation they have created.

 

All roads will eventually lead to a single annexed state anyway.

[JemJem]

On 9/11/2019 at 6:07 AM, Morch said:

 

If reading this as anything more than an election-related stunt, then I think he either -

 

(a) Familiar with the so-called peace plan, and jumping the gun assuming the Trump administration would go along and endorse it. Or..

 

(b) Makes a move aimed to preempt certain elements of the supposed "peace plan".

 

But again, I think this relates more to recent polls, the need for a political spin and Netanyahu's pattern of behavior when a close election race reaches the final stage.

By the way, what is your guess ? Do you think Netanyahu will be able to form a government again after this coming election ? 

 

Of course, even if he does, he might find it hard to keep this government going for long. 

 

 

[Morch]

16 hours ago, dexterm said:

If the OP annexation happens it will be the final nail in the coffin of the two state solution, with Israel's new eastern border entirely shared with Jordan. The only problem for Israel is that it cuts off 2.5 million indigenous Palestinians living within Israel's new borders but without equal rights. 

 

The only solutions would be:
1. Ethnic cleansing of the non Jewish indigenous population.
2. Overt apartheid...bantustans of Palestinians living within Israel's external borders but without any civil rights.
3. A single democratic state with a whole host of political solutions: variations from one man one vote through to managed confederation.

 

Thanks to Trump and Netanyahu a single state solution that I thought would take decades to achieve is progressing towards its inevitability.

 

Younger generations of Palestinians, liberal Israeli Jews and diaspora Jewry are beginning to realize this natural conclusion...if we can't agree to divide the land, then share it. The only impediment will be cowardly EU and US leaders who continue the charade of urging negotiations for a mythical two state solution, but without actually applying any pressure to achieve it. So it may mean the business of occupation will continue as usual but hopefully without the facade of a redundant PA, forcing Israel to manage security and to take full responsibility itself for the situation they have created.

 

All roads will eventually lead to a single annexed state anyway.

 

Your rant hangs on its first word - "if". No actual input offered on the likelihood of this "if" coming about or the motivations behind the statement.

 

De facto, Israel's eastern border is exactly in the same place (along the Jordan river), and it's been this way for over 50 years now. Most (if not all) realistic programs for a peaceful solution include provisions for continued/prolonged presence and control of Israeli (or an agreed third party) at the border. 

 

The "cutting off" beat doesn't relate anything that is not a long standing reality. Trying to cast it as a new development is odd, at best.

 

Your usual list of "only solutions" fails to include, as usual, the possibility of a civil war, or the current state of things going on, one way or another. The rose-tainted nonsense about all them people coming together for the greater good doesn't reflect reality, political circumstances or demographic trends. 

 

And as armchair wannabe activists do - not much care or thought given to how certain suggestions and ideas might effect the lives of the populace. It's all very well wishing the PA gone and Israel assuming responsibility - kinda doubt that indicates much familiarity with the implications for the Palestinians. Apparently, the possibility of scoring some obscure PR points for the "cause" outweighs that - at least from a comfy armchair.

 

Blaming it all, as usual, on Israel, the USA and the EU is getting old. Ignoring the Palestinian side's part in all of this, other than casting them as passive, eternal victims is ridiculous, at best.

 

[Morch]

13 hours ago, JemJem said:

By the way, what is your guess ? Do you think Netanyahu will be able to form a government again after this coming election ? 

 

Of course, even if he does, he might find it hard to keep this government going for long. 

 

 

 

Sadly, I think he'll win, yes.

 

It's a close race, but he's a better and more experienced campaigner than his rivals, elections timing favors him as well, and last minute surge of support is already a thing with him. He's also better positioned to form a coalition, although this too, like his support, got eroded some.

 

One of the much talked about hypothetical options is a national unity government. Some say that's the best realistic result the opposition may hope for. While there's also talk of Netanyahu being replaced as head of his party to facilitate such moves, this is less likely to happen.

 

One way to understand Netanyahu's recent spate of statements (annexation plan, toppling Hamas rule, Iran this-or-that etc.) relates to how tight the race is. All of these statements target voters considering support for parties to the right of Netanyahu. One main reason is that votes cast for parties not making the 4% support line go to the drain. Hence he's trying to paint himself as a credible alternative to the more extreme elements, hoping to retain overall right-wing support rates.

.