12 apr 2019
Likud at 36-35 for Blue and White; New right Party of Bennett and Shaked, fails to pass electoral threshold; Netanyahu in negotiations with right-wing parties and Haredim to form a coalition.
The Central Elections Committee has released the latest results for the April 9 Knesset elections. With the completion of the vote count, including those of IDF servicemembers, Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party gained a 36th Knesset seat while his main rival, the Blue and White Party, remains at 35 of the Israeli parliament's 120 seats.
The figures, released by the committee, after a delay of several hours caused by technical issues, also showed that Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked’s New Right party failed to pass the threshold of 3.25% of the vote.
The latest results indicate that a party required 139,744 votes in order to pass the threshold and the New Right lacked 1,461 votes.
The Right-wing bloc now has a 65-55 advantage over the Left and the Arab parties. However, minor changes to the final tally may still be forthcoming.
The other parties have the following number of Knesset seats: Shas, 8; Yahadut Hatorah lost one seat to the Likud and now has 7; Labor and Hadash-Ta'al, 6; the Union of Right-Wing Parties, 5; Yisrael Beytenu, 5; Meretz and Ra'am-Blad, 4 each. The Zehut Party failed to pass the threshold.
Netanyahu is already in the midst of negotiations in order to form, what would be a narrow, coalition of 65 MKs, but any of his partners will have the ability to bring down the government. Another option is for the prime minister to seek a national unity government with the Blue and White Party, or with defectors from that party, in order to form a more stable coalition.
The announcement of the results was scheduled for 8pm but was delayed, due to what the head of the Central Elections Committee said were technical issues.
Justice Hanan Melcer, said in a statement to the press that an announcement would be made before midnight.
He said that there had been a problem with transmitting the final results to the commitee's website, but that the results would also be online at midnight.
Earlier, CEC spokesman Giora Pordes said that several polling stations had been subjected to further investigation because their results were "out of balance" and that the data and the reporting protocols had not corresponded.
"We are talking about 30-40 polling stations that are being investigated following complaints, because of the close race between some of the parties, every vote is important and examined with sensitivity," Pordes said.
Representatives of several parties addressed the committee on Thursday, alleging fraud in the vote count, including Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg, whose left-wing, secular party won at least four seats, and Rabbi Haim Amsalem of the far-right Zehut Party, which failed to pass the electoral threshold of 3.25 percent for entry in to the Knesset.
Zandberg told the committee that her party's votes had been interfered with by members of an ultra-Orthodox party.
"They are trying to steal a seat from us. We have reports of political interference in counting votes. United Torah Judaism is trying to exert pressure so that Meretz's fifth seat goes to them. We have been informed of disappearing ballot boxes and discrepancies between the protocols and what is posted on the elections website," she said.
"Even in the elections for the Tel Aviv municipality, this happened to us with United Torah Judaism and serious irregularities. This situation cannot be repeated, and the purity of the elections must be preserved."
UTJ rejected the allegations, saying that her claims were groundless.
The Zehut Party claims that confirmed votes counted at the polls are not showing up on the Central Committee's website and suspect foul play.
Also earlier, outgoing Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked was at the committee offices where she expressed hope that once ballots cast by IDF servicemembers were counted, her New Right Party would pass the electoral threshold, but that seems to not be the case.
The Central Elections Committee has released the latest results for the April 9 Knesset elections. With the completion of the vote count, including those of IDF servicemembers, Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party gained a 36th Knesset seat while his main rival, the Blue and White Party, remains at 35 of the Israeli parliament's 120 seats.
The figures, released by the committee, after a delay of several hours caused by technical issues, also showed that Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked’s New Right party failed to pass the threshold of 3.25% of the vote.
The latest results indicate that a party required 139,744 votes in order to pass the threshold and the New Right lacked 1,461 votes.
The Right-wing bloc now has a 65-55 advantage over the Left and the Arab parties. However, minor changes to the final tally may still be forthcoming.
The other parties have the following number of Knesset seats: Shas, 8; Yahadut Hatorah lost one seat to the Likud and now has 7; Labor and Hadash-Ta'al, 6; the Union of Right-Wing Parties, 5; Yisrael Beytenu, 5; Meretz and Ra'am-Blad, 4 each. The Zehut Party failed to pass the threshold.
Netanyahu is already in the midst of negotiations in order to form, what would be a narrow, coalition of 65 MKs, but any of his partners will have the ability to bring down the government. Another option is for the prime minister to seek a national unity government with the Blue and White Party, or with defectors from that party, in order to form a more stable coalition.
The announcement of the results was scheduled for 8pm but was delayed, due to what the head of the Central Elections Committee said were technical issues.
Justice Hanan Melcer, said in a statement to the press that an announcement would be made before midnight.
He said that there had been a problem with transmitting the final results to the commitee's website, but that the results would also be online at midnight.
Earlier, CEC spokesman Giora Pordes said that several polling stations had been subjected to further investigation because their results were "out of balance" and that the data and the reporting protocols had not corresponded.
"We are talking about 30-40 polling stations that are being investigated following complaints, because of the close race between some of the parties, every vote is important and examined with sensitivity," Pordes said.
Representatives of several parties addressed the committee on Thursday, alleging fraud in the vote count, including Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg, whose left-wing, secular party won at least four seats, and Rabbi Haim Amsalem of the far-right Zehut Party, which failed to pass the electoral threshold of 3.25 percent for entry in to the Knesset.
Zandberg told the committee that her party's votes had been interfered with by members of an ultra-Orthodox party.
"They are trying to steal a seat from us. We have reports of political interference in counting votes. United Torah Judaism is trying to exert pressure so that Meretz's fifth seat goes to them. We have been informed of disappearing ballot boxes and discrepancies between the protocols and what is posted on the elections website," she said.
"Even in the elections for the Tel Aviv municipality, this happened to us with United Torah Judaism and serious irregularities. This situation cannot be repeated, and the purity of the elections must be preserved."
UTJ rejected the allegations, saying that her claims were groundless.
The Zehut Party claims that confirmed votes counted at the polls are not showing up on the Central Committee's website and suspect foul play.
Also earlier, outgoing Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked was at the committee offices where she expressed hope that once ballots cast by IDF servicemembers were counted, her New Right Party would pass the electoral threshold, but that seems to not be the case.
11 apr 2019
kosher phones
The rabbinical committee that oversees 'kosher' phones for Haredi public ordered network operators to block numbers to sexual abuse hotlines.
The rabbinical committee that oversees "Kosher" phones (phones that have limited, filtered internet access and no texting), ruled that hotlines for victims of sexual abuse be banned from the "kosher" network and some ultra-Orthodox Jews are suing.
According to attorney Yuval Gideon, who is submitting the petition on behalf of the plaintiffs, a man or a woman in need of advice or counseling following a sexual assault have no recourse. "There are variances among the different network operators and some allow users to dial (the hotlines) while others do not. The issue of blocked numbers is completely arbitrary and unregulated," he said.
Gideon says that the rabbinical oversight committee makes all decisions regarding which numbers to block with no possibility to appeal. "According to communications law, it is illegal for network operators to arbitrarily block numbers. In addition, these phones are used by consumers who have no other choice. Many Haredi institutions do not accept students if they have a non-"kosher" cell phone," he added.
According to Gideon, when he sought an explanation for the blanket ban, he was rebuffed and the rabbis refused to respond to his queries. The communications committee also did not respond.
Do the cellphone companies have the authority to block access to numbers that can be lifesaving?
"We believe that they cannot. But the phone companies are motivated by profit. Imagine that the phone company is threatened that if they do not heed the dictates of the rabbis they will lose a lot of business," Gideon replies. "There are new phone companies that lack an agreement with the rabbinical committee and all of their numbers are blocked. One cannot call them because they do not provide a "kosher" option.
Gideon concluded: "We hope that the struggle isn’t over. There has been a significant increase in inquiries to the assistance hotlines from the Haredi sector, both by men and women. There still remains a gap between the Haredi sector and the general population. Imagine the poor boy who draws the courage to reach out for help and is told that the number is blocked."
The rabbinical committee that oversees 'kosher' phones for Haredi public ordered network operators to block numbers to sexual abuse hotlines.
The rabbinical committee that oversees "Kosher" phones (phones that have limited, filtered internet access and no texting), ruled that hotlines for victims of sexual abuse be banned from the "kosher" network and some ultra-Orthodox Jews are suing.
According to attorney Yuval Gideon, who is submitting the petition on behalf of the plaintiffs, a man or a woman in need of advice or counseling following a sexual assault have no recourse. "There are variances among the different network operators and some allow users to dial (the hotlines) while others do not. The issue of blocked numbers is completely arbitrary and unregulated," he said.
Gideon says that the rabbinical oversight committee makes all decisions regarding which numbers to block with no possibility to appeal. "According to communications law, it is illegal for network operators to arbitrarily block numbers. In addition, these phones are used by consumers who have no other choice. Many Haredi institutions do not accept students if they have a non-"kosher" cell phone," he added.
According to Gideon, when he sought an explanation for the blanket ban, he was rebuffed and the rabbis refused to respond to his queries. The communications committee also did not respond.
Do the cellphone companies have the authority to block access to numbers that can be lifesaving?
"We believe that they cannot. But the phone companies are motivated by profit. Imagine that the phone company is threatened that if they do not heed the dictates of the rabbis they will lose a lot of business," Gideon replies. "There are new phone companies that lack an agreement with the rabbinical committee and all of their numbers are blocked. One cannot call them because they do not provide a "kosher" option.
Gideon concluded: "We hope that the struggle isn’t over. There has been a significant increase in inquiries to the assistance hotlines from the Haredi sector, both by men and women. There still remains a gap between the Haredi sector and the general population. Imagine the poor boy who draws the courage to reach out for help and is told that the number is blocked."
Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked
The New Right party claims someone is 'cheating right-wing out of votes' after all the absentee ballots - the right-wing party believed would take them over the threshold - were counted; overall number of valid votes currently stands at 4,299,822
The New Right right-wing party appears to not have passed the electoral threshold, with all absentee ballots counted early Thursday. The party demands a recount, claiming "someone is cheating the right-wing out of votes."
Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked's party appears to have missed the 3.25% threshold after the absentee ballots - known as the double-sealed envelopes that are counted last - had been counted. The double envelopes - which include soldiers, prisoners, hospital patients and Israeli diplomats abroad - amount to approximately 200,000 ballots.
The vote - following the general elections held across the country on Tuesday - appears to be split with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and the Blue and White Party lead by Benny Gantz receiving 35 seats each. The prime minister, however, secured a path to reelection by having a clear right-wing majority bloc in the Knesset.
The Central Elections Committee said earlier Thursday that it all but finished counting the votes for the 21st Knesset election and the overall number of valid votes currently stands at 4,299,822.
"The counting of the double-sealed envelopes has ended … but in light of the race being so tight and the significance of every single vote - which can influence the distribution of Knesset seats - and in order to preserve purity of elections, the Central Elections Committee is examining the process of tallying the votes,” said the elections ruling body in a statement.
"We remain optimistic,” said Shaked after hearing the final results. “The earlier reports were good, so we have to wait for the final decision of the Central Elections Committee."
As the votes of the soldiers were being tallied overnight Wednesday, it looked as though the New Right party would, after all, enter the Knesset with four seats. As the day progressed, however, the numbers appear to have dropped below the threshold mark once again.
“There are very strange things happening in the Central Elections Committee,” said election observers from the New Right party. "We weren’t allowed to enter the Central Elections Committee and their website supposedly was stuck … then the party's numbers suddenly dropped below the threshold, and the right-wing bloc in the Knesset dropped from 67 to 64 seats … We will demand a recount,” they added.
If the results stay as they appear to be at the moment, more political shifts are expected with Meretz expected to gain an additional Knesset seat - taking the left-wing party to a total of five - while the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party appears to have lost a seat, bringing them to a total of seven seats.
In addition, the joint Arab electoral list Ra'am-Balad - which by Wednesday looked to have failed to pass the threshold - now appears to have four Knesset seats.
The New Right party claims someone is 'cheating right-wing out of votes' after all the absentee ballots - the right-wing party believed would take them over the threshold - were counted; overall number of valid votes currently stands at 4,299,822
The New Right right-wing party appears to not have passed the electoral threshold, with all absentee ballots counted early Thursday. The party demands a recount, claiming "someone is cheating the right-wing out of votes."
Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked's party appears to have missed the 3.25% threshold after the absentee ballots - known as the double-sealed envelopes that are counted last - had been counted. The double envelopes - which include soldiers, prisoners, hospital patients and Israeli diplomats abroad - amount to approximately 200,000 ballots.
The vote - following the general elections held across the country on Tuesday - appears to be split with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and the Blue and White Party lead by Benny Gantz receiving 35 seats each. The prime minister, however, secured a path to reelection by having a clear right-wing majority bloc in the Knesset.
The Central Elections Committee said earlier Thursday that it all but finished counting the votes for the 21st Knesset election and the overall number of valid votes currently stands at 4,299,822.
"The counting of the double-sealed envelopes has ended … but in light of the race being so tight and the significance of every single vote - which can influence the distribution of Knesset seats - and in order to preserve purity of elections, the Central Elections Committee is examining the process of tallying the votes,” said the elections ruling body in a statement.
"We remain optimistic,” said Shaked after hearing the final results. “The earlier reports were good, so we have to wait for the final decision of the Central Elections Committee."
As the votes of the soldiers were being tallied overnight Wednesday, it looked as though the New Right party would, after all, enter the Knesset with four seats. As the day progressed, however, the numbers appear to have dropped below the threshold mark once again.
“There are very strange things happening in the Central Elections Committee,” said election observers from the New Right party. "We weren’t allowed to enter the Central Elections Committee and their website supposedly was stuck … then the party's numbers suddenly dropped below the threshold, and the right-wing bloc in the Knesset dropped from 67 to 64 seats … We will demand a recount,” they added.
If the results stay as they appear to be at the moment, more political shifts are expected with Meretz expected to gain an additional Knesset seat - taking the left-wing party to a total of five - while the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party appears to have lost a seat, bringing them to a total of seven seats.
In addition, the joint Arab electoral list Ra'am-Balad - which by Wednesday looked to have failed to pass the threshold - now appears to have four Knesset seats.
The polls for the 2019 Israeli elections closed on Wednesday evening with a very close finish between the two main candidates for Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz.
Late Wednesday night, Gantz conceded to Netanyahu – although now the Likud bloc led by Netanyahu must form a government before a full victory is declared.
The Right Wing alliances won the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) with 65 mandates.
At the final tally, the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud Party) was ahead with only fifteen thousand votes ahead of Benny Gantz (Blue and White Party).
In the weeks leading up to Election Day, PM Netanyahu was accused of criminal charges including abuse of power as Minister of Communication, fraud, corruption, controlling telecom shareholders and conspiring for favoritism with newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes.
Indictments should begin in the next few months, but it is possible that if re-elected, PM Netanyahu will pass a law to protect himself while in office.
Benny Gantz’s party, Blue and White was established three months ago with “anyone but Bibi [the nickname for Binyamin Netanyahu] in 2019” as their main message.
The Blue and White Party claims to offer a voice for right-leaning centrist and leftist moderates, but is headed by three former Israeli military commanders-in-chief.
The two major parties (Blue & White and Likud) have both been accused of manipulating the minor alliances and absorbing their votes.
Israeli analysts have pointed out that this dynamic is especially problematic, given that both of the major parties are right wing, and neglect a large segment of the population (immigrants, Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, peace advocates on the left, and post-military young adults).
PM Netanyahu has been in office for ten consecutive years. With this win, he will become the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history, other than the country’s first PM, Ben Gurion.
Late Wednesday night, Gantz conceded to Netanyahu – although now the Likud bloc led by Netanyahu must form a government before a full victory is declared.
The Right Wing alliances won the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) with 65 mandates.
At the final tally, the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud Party) was ahead with only fifteen thousand votes ahead of Benny Gantz (Blue and White Party).
In the weeks leading up to Election Day, PM Netanyahu was accused of criminal charges including abuse of power as Minister of Communication, fraud, corruption, controlling telecom shareholders and conspiring for favoritism with newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes.
Indictments should begin in the next few months, but it is possible that if re-elected, PM Netanyahu will pass a law to protect himself while in office.
Benny Gantz’s party, Blue and White was established three months ago with “anyone but Bibi [the nickname for Binyamin Netanyahu] in 2019” as their main message.
The Blue and White Party claims to offer a voice for right-leaning centrist and leftist moderates, but is headed by three former Israeli military commanders-in-chief.
The two major parties (Blue & White and Likud) have both been accused of manipulating the minor alliances and absorbing their votes.
Israeli analysts have pointed out that this dynamic is especially problematic, given that both of the major parties are right wing, and neglect a large segment of the population (immigrants, Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, peace advocates on the left, and post-military young adults).
PM Netanyahu has been in office for ten consecutive years. With this win, he will become the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history, other than the country’s first PM, Ben Gurion.
8 apr 2019
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Israeli police forces detained three Palestinian youths in the Old City of East Jerusalem, on Monday afternoon. video video
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Oren Hazan, an Israeli Knesset member, stormed al-Wad Street in Jerusalem’s Old City, along with a group of Israeli settlers, and provoked Palestinian residents and shop owners in the area. Sources pointed out that Hazan, who was escorted by heavily armed Israeli forces, repeatedly cursed the residents and shop owners. In addition, Israeli settlers verbally assaulted Palestinian youths in the street. |
Sources confirmed that three Palestinian youths were detained by Israeli forces during the verbal confrontations. They were identified as Aboud Abu Sbeih, Yasser Najib, and Ibrahim al-Zeytawi.
Israel’s Blue and White political party leader Benny Gantz clearly
rejected a return to the pre-1967 borders and the division of Jerusalem
City.
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, Gantz said “We must maintain the Jordan Valley as a security border, we can’t withdraw to the ’67 lines, and Jerusalem must stay the undivided capital of Israel.”
Sources mentioned that Gantz questioned the viability of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as a peace partner, saying "It's very important that we have someone to talk to. Currently, that is not the situation.”
Gantz went on to blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dividing the Israeli people, "Netanyahu did a lot for this country,” adding “but enough is enough."
Sources said that Gantz was asked whether he would rule out any parties in a future coalition, he responded, “I basically exclude no one, but they have to support the Zionist idea, be democratic and not be racist.”
However, when asked about a possible partnership with Arab parties in the next Knesset, Gantz said, “"I have nothing against the Arab citizens of Israel, they are equal citizens and the problem is that some of their leaders act differently."
According to Hebrew-language news outlets, Gantz said “We must maintain the Jordan Valley as a security border, we can’t withdraw to the ’67 lines, and Jerusalem must stay the undivided capital of Israel.”
Sources mentioned that Gantz questioned the viability of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as a peace partner, saying "It's very important that we have someone to talk to. Currently, that is not the situation.”
Gantz went on to blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dividing the Israeli people, "Netanyahu did a lot for this country,” adding “but enough is enough."
Sources said that Gantz was asked whether he would rule out any parties in a future coalition, he responded, “I basically exclude no one, but they have to support the Zionist idea, be democratic and not be racist.”
However, when asked about a possible partnership with Arab parties in the next Knesset, Gantz said, “"I have nothing against the Arab citizens of Israel, they are equal citizens and the problem is that some of their leaders act differently."
7 apr 2019
The Asael outpost in the West Bank
PM says no Israeli settlement will be under Palestinian sovereignty, and that he 'will not distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Saturday to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank if re-elected, a dramatic policy shift apparently aimed at rallying his nationalist base in the final stretch of the tight race.
Netanyahu has promoted Jewish settlement expansion in his four terms as prime minister, but until now refrained from presenting a detailed vision for the West Bank, seen by the Palestinians as the heartland of a future state.
An Israeli annexation of large parts of the West Bank is bound to snuff out any last flicker of hope for an Israeli-Palestinian deal on the terms of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in 1967.
A so-called two-state solution has long been the preferred option of most of the international community. However, intermittent U.S. mediation between Israelis and Palestinians ran aground after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital early in his term. The Palestinians, who seek Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as their capital, suspended contact with the U.S.
More recently, Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a plateau Israel captured from Syria in 1967. The move was viewed in Israel as a political gift by Trump to Netanyahu who is being challenged by former military chief Benny Gantz.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment on Netanyahu's statement.
Polls have indicated a close race, though Netanyahu's Likud Party is expected to have a better chance than Gantz's Blue and White slate to form a ruling coalition. Polls forecast more than 60 out of 120 parliament seats for the Likud and smaller right-wing and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties
On Saturday, Netanyahu gave an interview to Israel's Channel 12 TV at the top of the prime-time newscast. Netanyahu portrayed the U.S. policy shifts on Jerusalem and the Golan Heights as his achievements, saying he had managed to persuade Trump to take these steps.
Netanyahu pledged that he would not dismantle a single Jewish settlement and that Israel would retain control of the territory west of the Jordan River -- the West Bank. More than 600,000 Israelis now live on war-won lands, two-thirds in the West Bank.
The interviewer asked why he hadn't annexed some of the larger settlements during his current term. "The question you are asking is an interesting question, whether we will move to the next stage and the answer is yes," he said, adding that the next term in office would be fateful. "We will move to the next stage, the imposing of Israeli sovereignty."
"I will impose sovereignty, but I will not distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements," he said. "From my perspective, any point of settlement is Israeli, and we have responsibility, as the Israeli government. I will not uproot anyone, and I will not transfer sovereignty to the Palestinians."
In any partition deal, the more isolated Jewish settlements would likely have to be uprooted to create a viable Palestinian state.
Saeb Erekat, a veteran former Palestinian negotiator, said he held the international community, especially the Trump administration, responsible for Israel's policies.
"Israel will continue to brazenly violate international law for as long as the international community will continue to reward Israel with impunity, particularly with the Trump administration's support and endorsement of Israel's violation of the national and human rights of the people of Palestine," he said in a statement.
PM says no Israeli settlement will be under Palestinian sovereignty, and that he 'will not distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged Saturday to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank if re-elected, a dramatic policy shift apparently aimed at rallying his nationalist base in the final stretch of the tight race.
Netanyahu has promoted Jewish settlement expansion in his four terms as prime minister, but until now refrained from presenting a detailed vision for the West Bank, seen by the Palestinians as the heartland of a future state.
An Israeli annexation of large parts of the West Bank is bound to snuff out any last flicker of hope for an Israeli-Palestinian deal on the terms of a Palestinian state on lands Israel captured in 1967.
A so-called two-state solution has long been the preferred option of most of the international community. However, intermittent U.S. mediation between Israelis and Palestinians ran aground after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital early in his term. The Palestinians, who seek Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as their capital, suspended contact with the U.S.
More recently, Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a plateau Israel captured from Syria in 1967. The move was viewed in Israel as a political gift by Trump to Netanyahu who is being challenged by former military chief Benny Gantz.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment on Netanyahu's statement.
Polls have indicated a close race, though Netanyahu's Likud Party is expected to have a better chance than Gantz's Blue and White slate to form a ruling coalition. Polls forecast more than 60 out of 120 parliament seats for the Likud and smaller right-wing and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties
On Saturday, Netanyahu gave an interview to Israel's Channel 12 TV at the top of the prime-time newscast. Netanyahu portrayed the U.S. policy shifts on Jerusalem and the Golan Heights as his achievements, saying he had managed to persuade Trump to take these steps.
Netanyahu pledged that he would not dismantle a single Jewish settlement and that Israel would retain control of the territory west of the Jordan River -- the West Bank. More than 600,000 Israelis now live on war-won lands, two-thirds in the West Bank.
The interviewer asked why he hadn't annexed some of the larger settlements during his current term. "The question you are asking is an interesting question, whether we will move to the next stage and the answer is yes," he said, adding that the next term in office would be fateful. "We will move to the next stage, the imposing of Israeli sovereignty."
"I will impose sovereignty, but I will not distinguish between settlement blocs and isolated settlements," he said. "From my perspective, any point of settlement is Israeli, and we have responsibility, as the Israeli government. I will not uproot anyone, and I will not transfer sovereignty to the Palestinians."
In any partition deal, the more isolated Jewish settlements would likely have to be uprooted to create a viable Palestinian state.
Saeb Erekat, a veteran former Palestinian negotiator, said he held the international community, especially the Trump administration, responsible for Israel's policies.
"Israel will continue to brazenly violate international law for as long as the international community will continue to reward Israel with impunity, particularly with the Trump administration's support and endorsement of Israel's violation of the national and human rights of the people of Palestine," he said in a statement.
