Israel welcomes remarks by US Secretary of Defense in interview on "Israel Today": "One-time Opportunity" • France to EU: "Sanctions on Israel"

Following Tuesday's interview, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave "Israel Today", in which he backed Israel regarding the application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in Israel as expected, but in the Palestinian Authority and in Europe, there is sharp wall-to-wall condemnation. 

Political Security Member Eli Cohen later said in an interview that he "fully supports Minister Pompeo's remarks that applying sovereignty is an Israeli decision. There is now a historic opportunity to advance the issue, sponsored by the most sympathetic government we have had in the White House, and sponsored by the President's Century Plan. Trump. We must realize this opportunity immediately and apply sovereignty as soon as possible. "

Minister Tzipi Hotobli added that the government, in her opinion, "will enter the history books in this act. This historic event will do historical justice with the ropes of the homeland released in the Six Day War."

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ֽ The US Secretary of State en route to Israel

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Outraged by Arab states

On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah warns that the annexation of the territories will put a catastrophe on the Palestinians, causing another "Nakba" like 1948, as they say.

A senior Palestinian leader in Ramallah told "Israel Today": "Annexation of the valley and parts of the West Bank will be no less an additional Nakba for the Palestinian people. The Trump administration backs and encourages the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, and legitimizes the Zionist occupation against the Palestinians." 

Another official in the PA revealed that it is working to formulate a regional and international move to abolish the annexation plan, and even a demand to impose sanctions on Israel if the sovereignty does go ahead and be implemented: "We will turn to the United Nations and international organizations to thwart it." 

Ramallah officials also expressed tremendous disappointment with Arab countries and criticized Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf authorities. 

"We have a great deal of anger and disappointment with the Arab rulers who betrayed us, no less," the officials admitted. "The statements made by Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf authorities, as well as other Arab states, against the plan to annex annex and large parts of the West Bank are lip service." 

Friday: Union debate

The dissatisfaction also prevails in Europe. France demands that its EU membership threaten Israel with a firm response, as defined, if it implements its plan to apply sovereignty over territories in Judea and Samaria. That's how European diplomats in Brussels said yesterday. 

The term "assault response" refers to the imposition of sanctions on Israel. The issue will be debated at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting, which will be held this Friday. 

The French move rests on the support of Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg, who are required to discuss the Foreign Ministers' meeting in imposing economic "punitive measures" on Israel in the event of sovereignty being applied. The EU's official position is that annexation of territories from Judea and Samaria is contrary to international law. 

On the basis of this position, European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Defense, Joseph Burrell, rejected the Trump administration's Centennial Plan. 

This plan, in the EU's opinion, goes beyond international agreements on the terms of the future arrangement between Israel and the Palestinians. 

"The EU is calling on both sides to resume talks and to avoid any unilateral actions that are contrary to international law. We are particularly concerned about statements about the expected annexation of the Jordan Valley and other parts of the West Bank. Measures for annexation, if implemented, will not go unanswered," he stressed yesterday. Union Commissioner Borel.

Pompeo visit to Israel: Meetings with PM, Gantz and head of Mossad

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will arrive in Israel today and begin rounds of meetings with Israeli political and security officials.

First meeting is expected to be with Prime Minister Netanyahu at 10 am. The office of US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said the Iranian issue Will be at the center of the meeting between the two as well as the Corona war.

It is believed that on the Iranian issue, the parties will discuss Iran's presence in Syria. The US is partnering in Israeli efforts to completely remove Iranian forces from the Syrian territories. Recently, Israeli officials have expressed concern over Iran's global crisis following Iran's coronation, and international attention devoted to combating the virus, to release economic sanctions and further development of the nuclear program. 

Senior diplomats have further estimated that the century plan and the annexation of Israeli communities in the West Bank are also at the heart of Pompeo's visit. In the United States, Israel expects the plan to be adopted despite the change of government, and despite the entry of the Gantz and the White Blue into an equitable government with the Likud.

Apart from Netanyahu, Pompeo is also expected to meet with MK MK Benny Gantz. The secretary of state is also planning a meeting with MK Gabi Ashkenazi, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman, with Ambassador Friedman himself and with the head of the institution Yossi Cohen. 

The preparation of the news was attended by Matti Tochfeld and Eldad Beck