“The Israeli coalition government agreed to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of a shrunken Blue and White party, Benny Gantz, will make its first priority addressing the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, for the first six months, at least according to its own declarations, it will deal with fallout from the pandemic almost exclusively, as an emergency government.

“But one unrelated issue is carved out for potential consideration during this period: Israel’s unilateral annexation of portions of the West Bank. According to the coalition agreement, anytime after July 1st, Netanyahu can bring annexation to a vote in the Cabinet or the Knesset by himself, following consultations with Gantz and U.S. President Donald Trump, and considering other factors such as the views of defense officials, and likely international and regional reactions…”

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