Bibi & UK’s Johnson Discuss Israel’s Sovereignty Plans in Judea & Samaria

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday night with the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and discussed Israel’s plans to declare sovereignty in parts of the Judea and Samaria, as per the US-formulated Deal of the Century peace plan.

The Deal of the Century, officially titled “Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and a Brighter Future,” calls for the Israeli annexation of some 30% of the territory in Judea and Samaria already under its control, with the remaining 70% becoming a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu “made it clear that Israel is prepared to conduct negotiations on the basis of President Trump’s peace plan, which is both creative and realistic, and will not return to the failed formulas of the past,” his office stated.

Johnson’s office stated that the British premier “set out his concerns” about the plan and “cautioned that this would set back the prospects for peace in the region.”

Johnson “reiterated his personal support for Israel and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to return to negotiations with the Palestinians,” the statement said.

The two leaders held the conversation a week after Johnson published an op-ed in the Yedioth Ahronoth Hebrew daily publicly urging Israel not to move forward with its plan.

Describing himself as “a passionate defender of Israel,” Johnson said that an Israeli declaration of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria would “be a gift to those who want to perpetuate the old stories about Israel.”

“I profoundly hope that annexation does not go ahead. If it does, the UK will not recognise any changes to the 1967 lines, except those agreed between both parties,” he wrote.

He warned such moves would “fail in their objective of securing Israel’s borders” and “be contrary to Israel’s own long-term interests”.

They would also “put in jeopardy the progress that Israel has made in improving relationships with the Arab and Muslim world”, he added.

The full implementation of the Deal of the Century is not expected. Rather, it appears that Netanyahu will be satisfied with a symbolic declaration of sovereignty on small swaths of territory such as Gush Etzion or Maale Adumim.

(TPS)