Judah and Samaria issue continues to complicate negotiations between Likud and Blue • Likud officials: "Gantz set conditions that may torpedo historic move, it is unclear if this is just a negotiation tactic" • Gantz associates: "There are gaps, but it will not prevent establishment government"

A serious dispute between the Likud and the Blue and White on the issue of applying Israeli sovereignty in the Jordan Valley worsens the contacts for the establishment of the unity government. PM Netanyahu demands that the new government implement the move, while blue and white express reservations.

According to the Trump administration's peace plan, Israel will be allowed to apply Israeli law in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. The move could be implemented once an Israeli-American committee completes the map drawing that defines the areas that will become Israeli.

Benny Gantz: "After the elections - we will work to apply sovereignty over the Jordan Valley" // Photo: Ami Shamir

The committee has so far held a number of meetings and continues to work partially even in the midst of the Corona crisis. But the Trump administration wants Israel to carry out the sovereignty move only when a government that has a majority in the Knesset is elected, and not a transitional government. This is one of the reasons the move has not been carried out to date.

In talks that have been conducted to date between blue-white and Likud, Netanyahu and his people have raised the course of sovereignty as a key requirement. Likud officials said, "Sovereignty was a fundamental issue from the very beginning to prevent misunderstandings." It should be noted that the Trump plan, and in particular the course of sovereignty included in it, constitutes a political highlight for Netanyahu. He has stated dozens of times that he intends to advance the move and has even warned that the historic opportunity to implement it may not return.

"Gantz does not oppose sovereignty"

According to white-blue sources, Gantz did not object to the plan and for that matter did not pose a problem. They stated that if Netanyahu brings the plan to the government or the Knesset, he will most likely win it, as some members of Blue and White (referring to MKs Zvi Hauser, Yoaz Handel, and perhaps Hilly Trooper and others) will support it. "To the former, and in yesterday's talks, he set conditions that could jeopardize the move.

The question of hardening of attitudes

However, the Likud wonders if the line's stiffening is a final white-blue stance or part of a negotiation process that has its ups and downs. An official in the Gantz area said it was indeed a controversial issue. In contrast, others said that there may be gaps between the parties but this is not the issue that would hamper the establishment of the government.

A window of opportunity is very narrow

In the meantime, the US side is making it clear that Israel has a window of opportunity for only a few months to make the move that the Trump program allows. The US presidential election will be held in November 2020, doubting whether the president will have the leisure or attention to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian issue close to the election. The Corona crisis is devouring US political cards, and under the new conditions - there is no telling if Trump would want Israel to take such a move .

Meanwhile, the right-wing party made it clear last night that the implementation of sovereignty is a necessary condition for entering the government. Right-wing Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said yesterday in response to the question "Israel today": "Obviously this is a structured thing that must be. I do not think that the Prime Minister will give it up and we will make sure it is in the agreements. "