According to June 17 reports in the Israeli press, Blue and White Knesset members are quietly promoting a staged annexation plan. The unnamed parliamentarians are willing to support annexation of the two settlement blocs of Etzion and Ma’ale Adumim. Israeli pundits have estimated over the years that these two settlement blocs, which are both near Jerusalem, would stay under Israel’s sovereignty in any future peace agreement with the Palestinians. The popular assessment is that a majority within the party would now agree to the idea.
There is reportedly disagreement in Blue and White over two other settlement areas: the Jordan Valley and the town of Ariel. Blue and White's leadership might ultimately agree on the annexation of Ariel as well, but annexing the Jordan Valley will not happen. Defense Minister Benny Gantz fears doing irreversible damage to Israel’s security relations with Jordan and fears have escalated after multiple recent warnings from King Abdullah.
