JERUSALEM – Netanyahu Pledges Annexation Of West Bank If Re-Elected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday, pledged to annex key parts of the occupied West Bank within “weeks” if re-elected.
According to details, Netanyahu is trying to sway voters for the country’s third election in a year. Final polls predicts another tight race between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz of the centrist Blue and White party. Meanwhile, all parties have raised concern about voter apathy amid the grinding political stalemate, putting extra emphasis on turnout.
In an interview with Israeli public radio, Netanyahu said annexation of the strategically crucial Jordan Valley is his top priority. Along with “four major immediate missions”. Furthermore, the Israeli prime minister again pledged to stop the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon. He said he has not ruled out the use of force as well.
Netanyahu also said that his fourth “immediate” goal if re-elected – despite facing trial on multiple corruption charges – would be major economic reform to bring down Israel’s high cost of living. Netanyahu Pledges Annexation Of West Bank If Re-Elected.
The tensions in Jerusalem are high after US President Donald Trump’s widely-criticised Middle East peace plan unveiled in late January. It proposed Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the State of Israel. It also included the Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as the Jordan valley. Israel and Palestinian Authority security forces have long cooperated in controlling West Bank areas that are under Palestinian control. The Palestinian Authority also has intelligence cooperation agreements with the CIA. The cooperation continued even after the Palestinians began boycotting Trump’s peace efforts in 2017.