The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Applying Sovereignty Delayed: Netanyahu Decides to Reject the Move for Technical Reasons | Israel today

2020-01-29T20:28:23.157Z


Political-political


First publication: Prime Minister changed his position, and it is unclear when the decision will be brought to the government • Reason: Legal and diplomatic complexity and desire to make the move in concert with the Americans • However, his entourage made it clear that he was determined to pass it on as soon as possible

A turnaround in the PM's position on the issue of sovereignty. After promising to approve the government's application for sovereignty at its upcoming meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded that the decision was immature and that technical reasons required a much more complex and detailed work.

White House history: Trump and Netanyahu present century plan // Photo: White House spokesmen

Netanyahu told reporters yesterday that he was taking two steps to the sovereignty, with the first being implemented immediately and including the Jordan Valley and localities. However, officials now say that the process will take longer because it will require map drawing as well as a desire to accurately coordinate it with the United States. In addition, staff work is being conducted with the heads of the local authorities to ensure that all localities are included in the decision according to the outline plans and that they will not be harmed in the long term.

An official in the Netanyahu retaliation in Washington told reporters that "the Prime Minister's Office is working diligently on preparing the decision. This is a complex headquarters that includes, among other things, maps and aerial photographs and hopes to complete it as soon as possible."

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu // Photo: IPA

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said yesterday that Israel may immediately implement sovereignty, in coordination with an American-Israeli committee to examine the details.

"The Israeli government will say how it wants to move forward. There will be a committee, it will work with every intention to achieve the right result, but it is a process that requires some effort, understanding and coordination. We need to see the metrics and see that they fit the map," the ambassador said.

According to the ambassador, there is no contradiction between Netanyahu's announcement that he will carry out the annexation immediately and President Trump's announcement that a committee will be formed.

"Everyone is right here, the government will do what it does, but then the committee will be set up, we will appoint the members on our behalf and I hope the Israeli government does the same. The plan and proposal will be presented, and we will consider it as part of the agreement, "The president used the words" immediately, "which is something we want to get to as quickly as possible, and we will try to get an answer quickly," Ambassador Friedman added.

Ambassador David Friedman // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

Meanwhile, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, tonight will brief all senior diplomats in Washington on the centennial plan, Israel Today has learned. Kushner presented to the ambassadors the details of the program and asked for their support.

A Western diplomat told Israel Today that the positive welcome of European countries into the program is no accident. He said that in recent months, Kushner and the diplomatic system have been preparing to receive the European and Arab backing for the program. Among other things, in Europe, the program was welcomed in the UK, France and Austria as well as in the EU.

Former U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, referred to the Centennial Program in the briefing for the Jewish Federation of North America.

"Without the Palestinians, this plan cannot happen," Greenblatt explained. "If both parties don't work - we can't advance the plan. The Palestinians have had the opportunity to ask for what they want for a very long time, and we think two countries are the solution. For a better life. "

Later, the former envoy appealed to opponents for the establishment of a Palestinian state. "The question to them is, 'What now?'" He said. "I think something has to happen. I don't think it's stable to maintain the status quo and I think it will only worsen Israel's long-term situation."

According to Greenblatt, the next steps in the process will be after the Knesset elections. "Until then, there will be no progress on the subject of the program," he stated. "We will have to wait and see. There is still a lot of work we need to do with the Israeli government, but the Israelis are quite united on this issue."

Jason Greenblatt // Photo: AFP

At the same time, Likud was furious at the intention of Blue and White Chairman MK Benny Gantz to bring in the Knesset's centennial plan.

"Hitchhiker Gantz is trying to get a ride on the tremendous achievements that PM Netanyahu has brought after three years of strenuous work with the Trump administration. A joke," the Likud statement said.

Likud criticism came after MK Gantz announced that he would like to approve the plan as a whole and not just the steps of sovereignty. Gantz said at the INSS National Security Research Institute conference tonight that "the peace plan faithfully reflects the basic principles written in a blue and white platform. Next week, I will submit to Knesset's approval of President Trump's full plan as announced yesterday. This is a historic opportunity to shape Israel's borders and future. "

In addition, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein sought to expedite the application of sovereignty and this evening promised that the Knesset would not be a hindrance or obstruction to the move.

"Our great friend in the White House, President Donald Trump, has presented with Prime Minister Netanyahu a plan that completely changes the way the world was used to talking and thinking about the road to peace," Edelstein said at a conference of municipal corporations held at the Herods Hotel in Eilat. "But if this program remains just a colorful booklet, or becomes a historic event and changes reality - this is only our decision. We must not miss the opportunity.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun

"I tell the Prime Minister here, if you come back from Washington, and ask to convene the Knesset plenum to exploit the historic readiness of the United States administration and to apply Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria - I will enter the plenum immediately. No matter what the criticism, no serious attacks The right thing to do.

"I am sure that in such a rare and one-of-a-kind situation that we are in it, all Zionist parties will exaggerate themselves, put the good of the state before their eyes and fail it for momentary political interests. So that we can, finally, vote in the Knesset for applying sovereignty And approve it by a large majority. "

However, Edelstein emphasized that although he did not believe that the Palestinians would meet the conditions they needed to establish a state, he strongly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state, the partition of Jerusalem and the construction freeze.

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2020-01-29

You may like

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-28T06:04:53.137Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.