Mike Huckabee. (X Screenshot)
Earlier in the week, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan to annex 82 percent of Judea and Samaria, a move he argued would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Washington has not opposed Israeli moves to apply sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria, comments that come as the debate over annexation reemerges inside the government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened top ministers this week to discuss applying sovereignty to parts of the territory before switching the discussion to focus on the security crisis in Judea and Samaria as the Palestinian Authority is on the brink of collapse.
Earlier in the week, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan to annex 82 percent of Judea and Samaria, a move he argued would prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
On Friday, Channel 14 reporter Tamir Morag posted a quote from Huckabee stating that “the US has never asked Israel to not apply sovereignty. I have repeatedly said that the US respects Israel as a sovereign nation and will not tell Israel what to do. This is also what Secretary Rubio has said as recently as this week.” Huckabee later reposted the quote, thanking the outlet for what he called “responsible journalism.”
His remarks recall an earlier period of tension. In August 2020, Jared Kushner, senior adviser and son-in-law, President Donald Trump, said the US “does not plan to give our consent for some time” to annexation, urging Israel to focus instead on implementing its new peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
Netanyahu has reportedly pulled annexation plans after Abu Dhabi warned that extending sovereignty into Judea and Samaria would cross a “red line” and imperil normalization.
“This would destroy the Abraham Accords,” one senior Emirati official said, according to Israeli media.
Israel’s defense establishment has also cautioned that renewed annexation efforts could spark unrest in Judea and Samaria.
Proposed coalition would also need Shas support, despite its endorsement of Netanyahu.
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