Israel delays bill connecting settlements amid US pressure
Law that would turn West Bank communities into 'daughter municipalities' of Jerusalem put on hold amid American concerns
Israel has delayed a Bill that would connect a number of West Bank settlements to Jerusalem amid pressure from the United States.
The Bill aims to solidify the city’s Jewish majority, but stops short of formal annexation, making the practical implications unclear. It says the communities would be considered “daughter municipalities” of Jerusalem.
The Palestinians claim both east Jerusalem and the West Bank, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War, as part of their future state, a position that has wide international backing.
Israel annexed east Jerusalem in a move not recognised internationally.
Haaretz newspaper quoted prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying Israel needs to co-ordinate the Bill with the US.
“The Americans turned to us and inquired what the Bill was about. As we have been co-ordinating with them until now, it is worth (to continue) talking and co-ordinating with them. We are working to promote and develop the settlement enterprise,” the paper quoted Mr Netanyahu as saying at a government meeting on Sunday.
Earlier on Sunday, David Bitan, the Likud party’s parliamentary whip and a close Netanyahu ally, told Army Radio the vote was delayed because “there is American pressure claiming this is annexation”.
Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement watchdog group, says the Bill would amount to “de facto annexation” and be a clear step towards full annexation of the West Bank.
US president Donald Trump’s envoy, Jason Greenblatt, has been shuttling throughout the region in the hope of restarting peace talks, which last collapsed in 2014.
But in contrast to the Obama administration, Mr Trump has not explicitly endorsed a Palestinian state.
He has also has shown some tolerance for settlement building, urging Israel to show restraint but saying a complete halt is unnecessary.
Israel says the fate of the settlements, home to more than 600,000 Israelis, should be decided through peace talks along with other core issues like security.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
