No promises in Netanyahu's offer to negotiate settlement annexation

The Israeli prime minister’s overtures to discuss settlements to be annexed to Israel under a peace agreement is an effort to legitimize the settlements in the guise of a concession without making any commitments to the Palestinians.
An Israeli border policeman fires a tear gas canister towards Palestinian stone-throwers as an Israeli settlement is seen in the background during clashes at a protest against Jewish settlements, in Jalazoun refugee camp near the West Bank city of Ramallah March 27, 2015. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman - RTR4V6AH
An Israeli border policeman fires a tear gas canister toward Palestinian stone-throwers as an Israeli settlement is seen in the background during clashes at a protest against Jewish settlements, in Jalazoun refugee camp near the West Bank city of Ramallah, March 27, 2015. - REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman
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Daoud Kuttab
@daoudkuttab

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed that he is a masterful politician in his most recent offer to the EU’s top foreign official. During her visit to Israel and Palestine May 24, the Israeli leader told EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini that he was ready to discuss the borders of settlement blocs that would one day be swapped with the Palestinians. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu wants “to reach understandings on the borders of settlement blocs that Israel would annex under any peace agreement.”

The offer, which was quickly rejected by Palestine’s top negotiator Saeb Erekat and Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, can be seen in both negative and positive lights.

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