US State Department: Netanyahu has not presented Pompeo with annexation plan

The US Secretary of State made it clear that, contrary to the Prime Minister's claims, the meeting between the two did not indicate any annexation. According to the aide, "the US's traditional position is that the permanent status of the territory should be determined by the parties." At the end of his meeting with Pompeo in Lisbon Netanyahu said the two discussed the matter

US State Department: Netanyahu has not presented Pompeo with annexation plan

Assistant US Secretary of State David Shankar said in a briefing to Washington reporters on Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not present to Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo a plan to annex the Jordan Valley this week. "I can tell you that Israel did not present to the United States during the meeting any annexation plan - complete or partial to any part of the West Bank," Shankar said. He said, "The traditional position of the United States is that the permanent status of the West Bank area should be determined by the parties."

Speaking to reporters in Lisbon on Thursday, Netanyahu said: "I also discussed Pompeo with the annexation of the Jordan Valley. Obviously, it's easier if there is a government rather than a much more complex government, we are looking for solutions."

Pompeo and Netanyahu in Lisbon, yesterday (Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO)

PM Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, December 4, 2019 (Photo: Photo: Kobi Gideon, Government Press Bureau)

During their meeting in Lisbon, Netanyahu thanked Pompeo for his announcement last month that he was canceling the US State Department's legal opinion stating that the settlements were in violation of international law. "I am grateful for the Foreign Ministry's statement that settlements are illegal," Netanyahu said. "It promotes peace because peace is based on truth and not on lies."

Signs: The Knesset will advance legislation to hold elections on March 3