Netanyahu not discussing specific annexation proposals with US — official

Netanyahu did not present the US administration with specific proposals for West Bank annexation, a senior Israeli diplomatic official says, hours after the prime minister told lawmakers that he has been discussing such initiatives with Washington.

The official says that since no specific annexation proposals were presented to the administration — but only “Israel’s national interests under any future peace deal” — “in any case the US did not express support for the proposals.”

“Israel updated the US on various proposals that are being brought up in the Knesset, and the US expressed its clear position that it hopes to present President [Donald] Trump’s peace plan,” the official says. “PM Netanyahu’s position is that if the Palestinians continue to refuse negotiating peace, Israel will present its own alternatives.”

Earlier today, Netanyahu said he’s been in talks with the Trump administration on a “historic” initiative to annex Israeli settlement areas in the West Bank.

“I can tell you that for a while now, I’ve been talking about it with the Americans,” Netanyahu told a faction meeting of his Likud party.

“I’m guided by two principles in this issue… optimal coordination with the Americans, whose relations with us are a strategic asset for Israel and the settlements, and it must be a government initiative, rather than a private one, because it would be a historic move,” he added.

— with Raphael Ahren