“[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.
