Two days before July 1, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that annexation should not be rushed through this week and the timeframe is not set in stone. Speaking at a June 29 meeting with American peace envoy Avi Berkowitz and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at his Tel Aviv office, Gantz reportedly said that the move can wait until after Israel deals with more pressing issues such as the coronavirus crisis. The unity deal signed between Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last April enables Netanyahu to bring annexation for a vote on July 1. Netanyahu has pledged to stick to the date.
A source closed to Gantz quoted him as saying at the meeting, “July 1 is not a sacred date. Dealing with the coronavirus and its socioeconomic and health consequences is the more pressing issue that needs to be tended to right now.” Gantz said that Israeli citizens are troubled by the coronavirus crisis and expect it to be addressed rapidly and seriously.
