Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Aug. 2 that the annexation of West Bank areas is still on the agenda and awaiting an American go-ahead. In his remarks to Likud Knesset members, Netanyahu sought to give himself an alibi for the fiasco that is causing him significant damage and could be disastrous for him if he drags Israelis to a fourth round of elections before year’s end.

The prospects of imposing Israeli sovereignty over 30% of the West Bank arose in late January, when President Donald Trump unveiled his “deal of the century” for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The administration announced that Israel could annex the territory within the framework of the plan. The political right reacted with unbridled enthusiasm that Netanyahu milked for all its was worth in the lead-up to the March 2 elections.

Seven months have elapsed, and the annexation hype has gone silent. Netanyahu is trying to absolve himself of responsibility for the collapse of his pledge to the right-wing electorate, a tale of greed, policy and the vagaries of Middle Eastern reality.

The annexation plan was last seen on the final weekend of June, when presidential envoy for the Middle East Avi Berkowitz, who replaced Trump’s previous appointee Jason Greenblatt, visited Israel for talks with Netanyahu and other top leaders. Despite his promise that the administration would conduct follow-up discussions on annexation after his return to Washington, the issue has fizzled.