Middle East
Discussing cooperation on the coronavirus front, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said “we’ll certainly talk about the challenges the globe faces with COVID, Israeli technology, Israeli medical expertise—all the things that you and I and our teams can work on together.”
Separately, Iran claims that the United States has not yet responded about a possible prisoner swap.
E.U. foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is reportedly pushing to penalize Jerusalem if it moves ahead with plans to apply Israeli law to parts of Judea and Samaria.
In a special interview, U.S. envoy David Friedman dismisses the left’s criticism of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and reassures the right it will only have to contend with a Palestinian state “if the Palestinians become Canadians.”
The timetable depends mainly on Israel and will face no resistance from Washington as long as Jerusalem sticks to the framework of the Trump Mideast peace plan, says U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
“Umm Haroun,” which positively portrays a historic Jewish community in the Gulf, has drawn criticism in the Arab world for encouraging normalization with the Jewish state.
The issue of extending Israeli sovereignty to parts of the West Bank can be brought to the Knesset for a vote on July 1 at the earliest.
America stands ready to recognize Israeli sovereignty to areas of Judea and Samaria • Expects negotiations with Palestinians to continue, says State Department spokesperson • Arab League to convene emergency meeting to discuss Israeli annexation.
The Trump administration has called for the oil-rich country to become self-reliant as a contingency of importing electricity from Tehran.
In a video address marking the 100th anniversary of the San Remo Conference, Israel’s premier says that “in a couple of months,” U.S. President Donald Trump will honor his pledge to recognize Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
The United States will “work closely” with Jerusalem, but ultimately, the decision will be made by the Israelis • P.A. leader Abbas: All agreements are off if Israel announces any annexation.
Under the terms of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can present the U.S. plan for application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley to the Knesset for approval as early as July.
