“[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is entirely dependent on [President Donald] Trump for the annexation. We have no illusions that he would operate against decisions taken in the White House.” These words were told to Al-Monitor by a senior Likud minister speaking on condition of anonymity. The minister spoke on June 23, exactly a week before the July 1 target date set by Netanyahu for the start of the annexation — or “imposing Israel’s sovereignty,” as he calls the process.

However, according to all the hints and briefs that Netanyahu has been scattering in recent days, it is already clear to everyone that the grand annexation of 30% of West Bank and Jordan Valley territories will not be realized in the near future and certainly not prior to the US elections in November. Now he talks about a gradual annexation in stages on limited territory.

At the end of last week, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman left Jerusalem for Washington where he is expected to participate in a decisive meeting in the White House. That meeting will deal with one question: whether to give the American green light to a limited annexation. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump’s son-in-law White House adviser Jared Kushner, and Middle East Envoy Avi Berkowitz are expected to participate at that meeting, which could take place as early as June 24.

According to various media items, what will be placed on the table is a program for a symbolic annexation of several settlements in the Jerusalem area. Nothing of this limited annexation program will bear resemblance to the bombastic announcements of the White House six months ago regarding imposing full, historic sovereignty. According to a Reuters report, Trump himself could join in some of the discussions.