Israel’s 35th government, which was sworn in May 17, is also Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fifth government. Officially, it is known as a national unity government, with Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party poised to step in as prime minister in 18 months. Gantz has, in fact, already been sworn in with Netanyahu, in his capacity as “alternate prime minister.” Nevertheless, the one person who will mark this new government’s course, set its tone and determine its agenda will for the most part be Netanyahu.

In his inaugural address, Netanyahu laid out his political vision for this new government. To no one’s surprise, it seemed to reflect his personal vision as leader of the ideological right. It will be a government committed to the annexation of large parts of the West Bank.

"The time has come to apply sovereignty to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. This won't distance peace, it will bring it closer," he declared, using the Israeli term for the West Bank. He continued, "The truth is — and everybody knows it — that the hundreds of thousands of settlers living in Judea and Samaria will remain there, no matter what arrangement is reached. The only reason the whole issue of sovereignty is on the agenda is because I promoted it personally for the last three years, both overtly and covertly."

Never before has a prime minister from the right used his inauguration address to announce his intent to annex West Bank settlements. Netanyahu is well aware of the fact that the window of opportunity to impose Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank will only remain open as long as Donald Trump is president of the United States. He is therefore planning to pour everything into advancing this one agenda item over the next few months, before the next presidential election in the United States this November.