West Bank settlements must be annexed, says Benjamin Netanyahu as Israeli government sworn in
Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his vow to annex West Bank settlements on Sunday as his emergency unity government with chief rival, Benny Gantz, was sworn in just a week before his corruption trial is due to start.
Mr Netanyahu’s long-held desire to annex the territories, also held by Donald Trump, the US president, will lead to a collision with Palestinians and a host of other countries, and is seen as the end for hopes of a Palestinian state.
“The time has come to apply Israeli law to them and write another glorious chapter in Zionist history,” Mr Netanyahu said at the swearing-in ceremony.
The agreement allows Mr Netanyahu to present a proposal for annexation as soon as July 1. Getting annexation through before US presidential elections in November will likely be a priority for him as presidential candidate, Joe Biden, has unilaterally opposed the plans.
The formation of the government, which saw the rivals join forces to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, came after three deadlocked elections and over a year of political paralysis.
The controversial power-sharing deal will, in theory, see Mr Netanyahu continue as prime minister for 18 months, before being replaced by Mr Gantz, who will initially serve as defence minister, for the following 18 months.
One of the chief criticisms of the new system is the new post of “alternate prime minister” which some suggest could allow Mr Netanyahu to remain in office even after the swap and throughout his corruption trial. The new post includes an exemption from a law that ensures officials who are not prime minister resign if charged with a crime.
Heckles of “fraud” and “bribery” were called out by opposition lawmakers during the swearing-in ceremony.
“The coronavirus is an excuse for a corrupt party at the expense of the taxpayer,” Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, said.
“[It shows] complete contempt for the crisis facing the Israeli public.”
The scope of the annexation, which was laid out in January as part of the Trump administration's “vision for peace” has yet to be determined.
The EU on Friday indicated that it would use its diplomatic clout to stop the proposed annexation.
"We must work to discourage any possible initiative toward annexation," said Josep Borrell, EU Foreign Policy chief.
