Middle East
As the Israeli defense establishment gears up for Jerusalem’s planned application of Israeli law to parts of Judea and Samaria, Washington is reportedly calling to “greatly slow the process.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah has warned of a “massive conflict,” alluding to chaos and extremism in the region, though he stopped short of saying he would cancel its peace treaty with the Jewish state.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi tells U.N. Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov Israel’s plan to apply sovereignty to Judea and Samaria “make the one-state solution a fait accompli.”
PLO secretary general: Media reports of behind-the-scenes Arab support for Israel’s potential annexing of areas of Judea and Samaria are false; the coming weeks “will determine whether the next decades will be ones of peace and coexistence or of violence and war.”
Macron, Johnson and other leaders have sent personal letters to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him not to apply Israeli law to Judea and Samaria.
“If the settlers don’t want what the administration currently has to offer, they shouldn’t come to us in the future,” says an American official.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg says his country rejects “prejudice” against the Jewish state and calls for dialogue with Israel’s new government.
The decision comes amid international outcry from the European Union, members of the U.S. Democractic Party and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Israel has “annulled” the Oslo Accords, says P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas • P.A. officials: Statement likely aimed at incoming Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
A U.S. administration official was weighing action against Iranian fuel exports, as the oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela are under sanctions.
The State of Israel has a duty to “pursue peace,” and Egypt and Jordan “are the most important allies in dealing with regional challenges,” says Israel’s incoming Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
The incident, which was broadcast by U.K.-based “Al-Araby Al-Jadeed,” came in response to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Israel and the Trump administration’s peace plan.
