About "Annexation"

7 Tammuz 5785

[Follow-up to yesterday's post:  The Settler Violence Scam by Amit Segal]

Suddenly, there is a rash of reports about annexation for Judea and Samaria.  Before everyone gets too excited, take a look at Trump's idea of "annexation" with the full understanding that Trump is the one calling all the shots.  Netanyahu will never go against Trump.  And it's silly to talk about "sovereignty" in the territories when we don't even have real sovereignty over Israel "Proper" anymore.  Only Divine intervention can save us now.

Trump Peace Plan (2020): This plan proposed that Israel annex approximately 30% of the West Bank, including all 130 Israeli settlements (containing 466,208 settlers as of 2020) and the Jordan Valley. It envisioned 15 enclave settlements remaining under Israeli control within a future Palestinian state, comprising 7 square kilometers (0.1% of the West Bank) with 15,061 settlers. The plan also included land swaps, offering Palestinians territory elsewhere (e.g., near the Gaza-Egypt border) in exchange for annexed areas.

Netanyahu’s Statements: In 2019, Netanyahu announced intentions to annex all Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley, contingent on the Trump plan’s release and U.S. consultations. However, these plans were paused due to domestic political uncertainties, international opposition, and the Abraham Accords, which prioritized diplomatic ties with Arab states.

Recent Developments (2023–2025): Since the formation of the Netanyahu-Smotrich-Ben Gvir government in late 2022, there has been a significant push toward de facto annexation, particularly in Area C (60% of the West Bank, under full Israeli control). This includes legalizing unauthorized outposts, expanding infrastructure (roads, utilities), and transferring administrative powers from the military to civilian authorities under Smotrich’s Settlement Administration. In 2024, Israel classified 24,700 dunams (6,100 acres) as “state land,” surpassing the total annexed between 2000 and 2023.