It is a large, but not particularly surprising step that the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that he will annex the settlements in the occupied west bank if he gets re-elected.
It assesses the Helle Malmvig, senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (Diis). Here researcher she in international politics and security in the Middle east.
– It is in the middle of an election campaign in which Netanyahu is perhaps a bit unsure of whether he will be reelected. So he is fishing for votes from the right wing, she says.
And outlook goes against the official policy, which says that it is something that must be negotiated between Israel and Palestine.
– He puts everything that can be in a future peace process, completely to the side. It may be the last nail in the coffin for the prospects of a two-state solution, says Helle Malmvig.
the UNITED states is expected to present a proposal for a peace plan after the israeli elections, which will take place on Tuesday.
Netanyahus main opponent in the election, Benny Gantz, call according to the news agency Reuters the prime minister’s announcement of an “irresponsible” attempt to get more votes.
According to Netanyahu Israel will withdraw from the peace talks, if there are requirements for the relocation of settlements.
And it is hard to imagine that the president of the UNITED states, Donald Trump, will speak out against Netanyahus plans, assesses Helle Malmvig. She stresses, however, that you never quite know what to expect from Trump.
Settlements built in the territories, which Israel has occupied since June 1967 six-day, is illegal according to the international society.
the Construction of new settlements is perceived as an obstacle to peace.
Over 400,000 israelis live in settlements in the west bank. A further 200,000 living in settlements in occupied east Jerusalem.
