Nov. 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United States ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, rejected this Thursday a hypothetical total or partial annexation of the West Bank by the future Israeli Executive, led by Likud and in which the extremist Otzma Yehudi could have a relevant role.
“Our position is quite clear: we do not support annexation. We will fight against any attempt to do so,” Nides stressed during an interview with the Kan public broadcaster, collected by the newspaper ‘The Times of Israel’.
Despite this, he has been neutral about the position that Washington may have with the new Israeli cabinet, still unformed, assuring that he will not make “draconian statements” to muddy the situation.
“We want to see, rhetorically, what they say and how they act. At this point the government is not even formed. (When it is), we will determine what conversations can take place,” said the US diplomat, as reported by ‘The Jerusalem Post’.
Nides’ comments come after Yariv Levin, a Likud deputy, said after his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the annexation of the West Bank is an issue on the table and on the future government’s agenda. .
Herzog himself stated on Wednesday that “everyone” is concerned about the possible role in the Executive of the far-right parliamentarian Itamar Ben Gvir, who has asked to be put in charge of the Ministry of Public Security in the framework of his support for Likud.
Herzog, whose words were picked up by an open microphone during a meeting, said “there is an issue that he doesn’t want to talk about because he doesn’t want to embarrass anyone.” “They’re going to have a problem with the Temple Mount,” he said, using the Jewish name for the Temple Mount.
Ben Gvir, leader of the extremist Otzma Yehudi, has been accused in the past of inciting violence and stirring up tensions with the Palestinians. The parliamentarian has made numerous visits to the Esplanade of the Mosques and supports that Jews can pray in the place, something prohibited at the moment.
If appointed Minister of Public Security, Ben Gvir would be in charge of security operations in the Esplanade of the Mosques, located in the Old City of Jerusalem and epicenter of the tensions of recent months between Israelis and Palestinians, who protest against violations of the ‘status quo’ on the ground.
