Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared May 20 that he is no longer committed to the agreements signed with Israel, including the security commitments. But there are those in Israel who believe that suspending security coordination will not last long. “Abbas needs the security coordination with Israel just as much as Israel does,” a Likud minister told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. “If he undermines the coordination, he will be hurting himself and he knows it.”

This comment might explain why official Israel has been keeping mum and refraining from reactions to Abbas’ escalating declarations. Neither Netanyahu nor his government colleagues made any statements over the halting of security coordination — an issue of vital importance in the battle against terror acts in the West Bank and inside Israel. Judging from the minister's comment, Netanyahu is estimating that he should not fan the flames, but rather leave Abbas an opening to withdraw from his decision.

As a reminder, Abbas made his declaration following Netanyahu’s stated intention to advance annexation of the Jordan Valley and West Bank settlements, in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. The unity deal between the Likud and Blue and White parties enables Netanyahu to bring up the issue for vote as early as July 1.

The fact that Netanyahu enjoys the support of the senior partners in his newly installed unity government — leaders of Blue and White party Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who have expressed backing for the Trump plan — has added a practical dimension to his annexation intentions. At a May 18 ceremony marking his entry into office, Ashkenazi even declared that he views a historic opportunity in the US president’s blueprint for peace with the Palestinians.