Israel’s new Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi embraced today US President Donald Trump’s peace plan with the Palestinians, yet stopped short of supporting any unilateral annexation by Israel of West Bank lands. Speaking at the May 18 changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the Foreign Ministry, Ashkenazi said, “President Trump presented us with a historic opportunity to shape the future of the State of Israel and its boundaries for decades to come."
Ashkenazi was echoing the pledge made last February by Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, who vowed that if elected prime minister he would advance the Trump administration plan and push for the Knesset to adopt it in full. Still, both Ashkenazi and Gantz are aware of the diplomatic landmine planted within the plan, in the form of American acceptance of West Bank settlement annexation. As agreed in the April 20 unity deal, Blue and White will enable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to present for Knesset vote his annexation plan this summer, but its leadership is reluctant over supporting it.