Skip to main content

Is Israel's 'Sovereignty Road' project step toward annexation?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s interim government is busily advancing various annexation moves with the excuse of addressing the settlers’ living conditions.
RTS29YXT-1.jpg

If it were up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel would have imposed its sovereignty over the settlements, and with them, 30% of the total West Bank territory, as offered by President Donald Trump’s peace plan even before the last Israeli election. However, in a last-minute twist, senior American advisers Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt intervened. They made it clear to the prime minister that that the United States would only agree to Israeli sovereignty after the territories were mapped out in full and a stable Israeli government was formed, splashing cold water on the plans of Netanyahu, the settlers and the political right.

Once they realized that their ability to impose sovereignty was limited by a formal government decision, ministers on the right initiated a series of moves that meant de facto annexation. They changed a government policy that limited and restrained their actions. Over the years, the US administration kept careful watch on such moves and prevented changes to the situation on the ground. The lack of any public reaction from the US administration to these recent moves suggests that they were coordinated between Israel and the United States.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.