Netanyahu Orders Secrecy on West Bank Annexation Plan for Fear of Losing Trump’s Support

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his ministers not to discuss Israel's efforts to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, and to maintain "secrecy" on the matter, for fear that U.S. President Donald Trump might withdraw his support for the plan, according to the Hebrew newspaper "Ma'ariv."

The Hebrew newspaper reported last night that "Netanyahu is expected to hold a political-security meeting to discuss the possibility of imposing sovereignty in the (West Bank), as well as retaliatory steps against the Palestinian Authority and the countries supporting this step."

Initially, the meeting was scheduled to be held at Netanyahu's office last night against the backdrop of several Western countries intending to recognize the state of Palestine, but it was later decided to postpone it, according to the same source, without providing reasons or announcing a new date.

The newspaper quoted informed Israeli sources as saying that the issue of imposing sovereignty over the West Bank is "being managed very quietly, without public statements." It stated that Netanyahu has "directed ministers to minimize their public discussions as much as possible" regarding the imposition of sovereignty over the West Bank.

The newspaper clarified that "the reason for this secrecy is that Israel fears Trump, despite being considered a friend of Israel, might withdraw his silent support that his administration has recently provided for construction in the E1 area, and even opposes any steps to impose Israeli sovereignty."

In August, last year, Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the approval of a settlement plan in the "E1" area that would separate occupied Jerusalem from the West Bank.

According to Israeli media, Smotrich's approval revives the "E1 project, which has been stalled for decades under international pressures, as it is considered a strategic barrier against the establishment of a Palestinian state, indicating that Israel is pushing towards annexing the occupied West Bank."

The "E1" plan aims to connect Jerusalem with several Israeli settlements located east of it in the West Bank, such as Ma'ale Adumim, by expropriating Palestinian land in the area and establishing new settlements, which would prevent any potential Palestinian expansion.

In the same context, "Ma'ariv" reported on Tuesday that Netanyahu's anticipated meeting comes "just a few days before the opening of the United Nations General Assembly sessions in New York, where a dramatic event is planned, a joint declaration by several Western countries recognizing a Palestinian state." It stated that "Belgium has officially announced that it will join the step, and France is expected to lead the declaration."

"In Israel, it is estimated that the United States will make an effort to prevent this event from taking place on its territory, evidenced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision not to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas entry into the U.S.," the newspaper added. It further mentioned that "however, in Israel, they do not rule out the possibility that the initiative could be transferred to Europe, for instance to Geneva."

On Friday, the United States announced the revocation of visas for several Palestinian officials, preventing them from participating in the United Nations General Assembly meetings, in a step that comes as several Western countries are preparing to recognize the state of Palestine.