On Oct. 28, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Ambassador David Friedman stood beside each other in the open air of Ariel University’s events square to write yet another chapter in the emerging story of de facto American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
The official reason for this celebration was the signing of an official agreement lifting bans that prevented scientific collaboration between Israel and the United States in the West Bank and Golan Heights. The ban had prevented Ariel from receiving US financial aid because of its geographical location. But behind the need to correct this situation in the name of “science” was a resounding political statement that took place just six days before the US presidential election.
