Gantz reportedly prepared to accept limited annexation of West Bank

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz is prepared to accept a limited degree of West Bank annexation in order to reach a unity government agreement with Likud, Channel 13 reports.

According to the network, Gantz is not willing to accept any move until after the coronavirus pandemic has ended, and is only willing to agree on annexation of settlement blocs located west of the security barrier.

In addition, he wants to work in full coordination with the Defense Ministry, which he is slated to lead.

Channel 13 adds that he expects the move won’t be done unilaterally but rather as part of a broad peace initiative. Gantz opposes annexing the Jordan Valley over concerns that it would lead to Jordan ending its peace deal with Israel. He has also rejected annexation of isolated settlements located deep in the West Bank.