Defense Minister Benny Gantz orders IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi to “step up preparations for the IDF,” his office says, ahead of the potential annexation of portions of the West Bank.
“Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz instructed the chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, to step up preparations for the IDF ahead of diplomatic efforts on the agenda in the Palestinian arena,” the statement reads.
Gantz says he also plans to appoint a point-person to coordinate between the different government bodies involved in the process.
Then-IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz has a snowball fight with a family of Palestinians along the West Bank’s Route 60 on December 15, 2013. (Judah Ari Gross/Israel Defense Forces)
“In addition, a joint team will be formed that will bring together recommendations — on an operational level — for the efforts that are on the agenda for the West Bank and Gaza Strip,” his office says.
The defense minister does not specify the nature of these diplomatic efforts, but the clear reference is to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declared intention to annex Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley from July 1, as provided for in the Netanyahu-Gantz unity government agreement.
Defense officials have reportedly warned that the annexation move could be followed by widespread violence.
— Judah Ari Gross
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