Assessment: Govt. official responds: It’s unthinkable the US would interfere in the working of the Israeli government in this way …
The Biden administration has warned the Israeli government that, as far as it is concerned, the transfer of authority over Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria to Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be considered a step of annexation, Walla and Axios correspondent Barak Ravid reported Thursday evening.
According to the report, last week US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf visited Israel and held talks with National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and senior officials in the political system, in an attempt to promote moves that would prevent a security escalation in Judea and Samaria.
According to a number of senior officials who were involved in the talks, Leaf told Hanegbi that the Biden administration is concerned about the transfer of powers to Smotrich because, from the American point of view, this is a step towards the annexation of the Israeli-controlled territories in Judea and Samaria by Israel.
“I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.” Joel 3:2
Under the the coalition agreement, Minister Smotrich is supposed to receive the authority over the Civil Administration and COGAT – the bodies responsible for civilian policy in Judea and Samaria.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant opposes the move and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to reconcile the differences between the two
Arutz Sheva HERE
