Netanyahu’s call to annex West Bank inspired by Trump support
Palestinian and international experts and politicians are convinced that the extraordinary statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about annexing all settlements come from the realization that he has support from US President Donald Trump for his radical call.
The statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of the elections about his intent to annex West Bank Jewish settlements to Israel will most likely resonate for a while, despite claims by some that this was simply electioneering rhetoric.
Speaking with Reuters on April 7, two days before the elections, Netanyahu made it clear that he is talking about annexing all Jewish settlements in the West Bank to Israel.
“You are asking whether we are moving on to the next stage — the answer is yes; we will move to the next stage. I am going to extend [Israeli] sovereignty and I don't distinguish between settlement blocs and the isolated settlements,” he told Reuters.
There is a general consensus among Palestinian and international experts and analysts that the Israeli leader would not have made this radical statement without the encouragement of the White House.
