The Trump administration’s much-anticipated Mideast peace plan, called the “deal of the century” in political circles, will support permanent Israeli control over all towns currently in Israeli hands and not oppose application of Israeli law throughout Judea and Samaria, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12.
According to the report, while the United States will not formally back Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, it will also not stand in the way. Major Palestinian Authority cities and population centers will reportedly remain in the control of the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria part of his recent campaign run and featured U.S. President Donald Trump in some of his campaign advertising.
Seven weeks ago, Trump signed a proclamation stating that the United States found it “appropriate to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights” at a ceremony attended by Netanyahu. He handed the pen with which he signed the document to Netanyahu, saying it was a gift for the Israeli people.
The Channel 12 report did not name a source, and no administration officials have yet responded.
The Trump plan is set to be published next month, after Netanyahu finalizes his coalition for the next government, and after the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.
Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has already rejected the plan, and has engaged in a public boycott of the U.S. administration since it officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017.
More than 400,000 Jews live in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). More than 200,000 more live in eastern Jerusalem.
