2 july 2020
Dr. Mike Evans meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Dr. Mike Evans, a prominent Evangelical figure, praises U.S. administration for its support of Israel asserting sovereignty in the West Bank, but warns community will turn its back on the president come November if he forfeits commitment to plans
Following the delayed start to Israel's plans to annex territory in the West Bank, prominent evangelical leaders in the U.S. implored President Donald Trump to go through with the intuitive – with some warning that withholding will jeopardize his chances of reelection in November.
Dr. Mike Evans, a leading figure within the Evangelical community, told Ynet that Trump's reelection is dependent on "our vote, the Evangelical vote."
"Our support is crucial, and he cannot win it without us," said Evans. "We are 100% supportive of applying Israeli sovereignty to the region. Our support of this did not begin with Trump, but with our Bible, because we believe that God decided to apply sovereignty thousands of years ago and told it to the Jewish people's prophets."
Evans hinted that several of Trump's advisors are advising him to withhold on annexation.
"I believe that any aide advising the president to withdraw his support on application of sovereignty could jeopardize the president's chances of winning the elections," he said.
"The worst thing the president can do during an election is announce his rejection of recognizing the land of the Bible, since all Evangelicals are united behind the Bible where it is stated that who blesses Israel – God blesses him. We will push any advisor urging him to refrain from supporting the application of sovereignty out of the White House."
Evans is currently in U.S. and this week met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to award him a medal for his support of Israel, and the two discussed a way to advance the annexation plans.
Pompeo, who himself is also a prominent figure within the Evangelical community, is a supporter of annexation.
"I believe that Trump will give Netanyahu the green light to go through with annexation, since he has an election in four months," Evans said, adding that the Evangelical camp supports the plan for Israel to annex some 30% of the West Bank.
"If you forfeit the lands of the Bible, that will be an issue for the president. President Trump is a very brave man who cannot be bought, he never kneels.
The president understands the Bible is not illegal, and we want him to say that. He would not have won the last election without us. He has done more than we wanted in the last three and a half years. We believe he will not change. When he is under pressure, it only gives him more energy."
Asked about the possibility that Israel will refuse a request by the president to implement annexation in steps, Evans said he did not believe for a second that "Trump will resist application of sovereignty."
"If I were Netanyahu, I would have pushed for a declaration of full sovereignty before the elections. I would not want to wake up with a Democrat president who will bring hell to Israel."
Dr. Mike Evans, a prominent Evangelical figure, praises U.S. administration for its support of Israel asserting sovereignty in the West Bank, but warns community will turn its back on the president come November if he forfeits commitment to plans
Following the delayed start to Israel's plans to annex territory in the West Bank, prominent evangelical leaders in the U.S. implored President Donald Trump to go through with the intuitive – with some warning that withholding will jeopardize his chances of reelection in November.
Dr. Mike Evans, a leading figure within the Evangelical community, told Ynet that Trump's reelection is dependent on "our vote, the Evangelical vote."
"Our support is crucial, and he cannot win it without us," said Evans. "We are 100% supportive of applying Israeli sovereignty to the region. Our support of this did not begin with Trump, but with our Bible, because we believe that God decided to apply sovereignty thousands of years ago and told it to the Jewish people's prophets."
Evans hinted that several of Trump's advisors are advising him to withhold on annexation.
"I believe that any aide advising the president to withdraw his support on application of sovereignty could jeopardize the president's chances of winning the elections," he said.
"The worst thing the president can do during an election is announce his rejection of recognizing the land of the Bible, since all Evangelicals are united behind the Bible where it is stated that who blesses Israel – God blesses him. We will push any advisor urging him to refrain from supporting the application of sovereignty out of the White House."
Evans is currently in U.S. and this week met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to award him a medal for his support of Israel, and the two discussed a way to advance the annexation plans.
Pompeo, who himself is also a prominent figure within the Evangelical community, is a supporter of annexation.
"I believe that Trump will give Netanyahu the green light to go through with annexation, since he has an election in four months," Evans said, adding that the Evangelical camp supports the plan for Israel to annex some 30% of the West Bank.
"If you forfeit the lands of the Bible, that will be an issue for the president. President Trump is a very brave man who cannot be bought, he never kneels.
The president understands the Bible is not illegal, and we want him to say that. He would not have won the last election without us. He has done more than we wanted in the last three and a half years. We believe he will not change. When he is under pressure, it only gives him more energy."
Asked about the possibility that Israel will refuse a request by the president to implement annexation in steps, Evans said he did not believe for a second that "Trump will resist application of sovereignty."
"If I were Netanyahu, I would have pushed for a declaration of full sovereignty before the elections. I would not want to wake up with a Democrat president who will bring hell to Israel."
Statement By Amnesty International: The Israeli authorities must immediately abandon plans to further “annex” territory in the occupied West Bank which breach international laws and exacerbate decades of systematic human rights violations against Palestinians there, Amnesty International said on the day the Israeli cabinet is due to begin its deliberations on the plans.
Amnesty International is also calling on the international community to take firm action against the “annexation” proposals and illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territory.
International law is crystal clear on this matter – annexation is unlawful. Israel’s continued pursuit of this policy further illustrates its cynical disregard for international law.
Saleh Higazi“International law is crystal clear on this matter – annexation is unlawful. Israel’s continued pursuit of this policy further illustrates its cynical disregard for international law. Such policies do not change the legal status of the territory under international law and its inhabitants as occupied nor remove Israel’s responsibilities as the occupying power – rather it points to the ‘law of the jungle’ which should not have a place in our world today,” said Saleh Higazi, deputy regional director for Amnesty Middle East and North Africa
“Members of the international community must enforce international law and restate that “annexation” of any part of the occupied West Bank is null and void. They must also work to immediately stop the construction or expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and related infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a first step towards removing Israeli civilians living in such settlements.”
Null “annexation”
Under a deal to form a coalition government in April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and political rival Benny Gantz agreed that a cabinet and parliament deliberations on the domestic process of “annexing” parts of the occupied West Bank, that include Israeli settlements and the area of the Jordan Valley, could begin as of 1 July.
Members of the international community must enforce international law and restate that “annexation” of any part of the occupied West Bank is null and void
Saleh HigaziAnnexation is the claim to acquire territory by force and is a flagrant violation of international law. Such a step by Israel would violate the UN Charter, jus cogens norms of international law, and obligations under international humanitarian law. The prohibition on the acquisition of territory by force is enshrined as a fundamental principle in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
Under domestic Israeli law, moves towards further “annexation” of Palestinian territory would mean a continuation of Israeli settlement expansion. It would also further entrench policies of institutionalized discrimination and mass human rights violations that Palestinians face in the OPT resulting from the occupation.
According to reports, the Israeli proposal could include as much as 33% of the total area of West Bank.
Recently, dozens of UN experts have voiced concerns that the proposed annexation plan would create a “21st century apartheid”.
Illegal settlements
Israel’s policy of settling its civilians in occupied Palestinian territory and displacing the local Palestinian population continues to contravene fundamental rules of international humanitarian law. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”.
Transferring the occupying power’s civilians into the occupied territory is a war crime. Furthermore, the settlements and associated infrastructure are not temporary, do not benefit Palestinians and do not serve the legitimate security needs of the occupying power. Settlements entirely depend on the large-scale appropriation and/or destruction of Palestinian private and public property which are not militarily necessary.
“Settlements are created with the sole purpose of permanently establishing Jewish Israelis on occupied land; this is a war crime under international law and “annexation” has no bearing on this legal determination.” Said Saleh Higazi
Background:
On 20 April, following Israel’s third elections in 10 months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival Benny Gantz formed a coalition government under a unity deal. The deal included an agreement which would allow Israel’s government to start the domestic process of “annexing” parts of the occupied West Bank that include Israeli settlements and the area of the Jordan Valley.
Israel’s “annexation” plans follow the announcement by US President Donald Trump’s so-called “deal of the century” in January 2020 which proposed areas of the occupied West Bank be annexed by Israel.
Amnesty International has made it clear that the Trump Administration’s plan would serve only to worsen human rights violations and enshrine the entrenched impunity that has fueled decades of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other grave violations.
The international community should also reject the so-called “deal of the century”, and any other proposal seeking to undermine the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
Amnesty also calls on governments to offer their full political and practical support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it decides on its jurisdiction over the “situation in Palestine”.
Amnesty International is also calling on the international community to take firm action against the “annexation” proposals and illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territory.
International law is crystal clear on this matter – annexation is unlawful. Israel’s continued pursuit of this policy further illustrates its cynical disregard for international law.
Saleh Higazi“International law is crystal clear on this matter – annexation is unlawful. Israel’s continued pursuit of this policy further illustrates its cynical disregard for international law. Such policies do not change the legal status of the territory under international law and its inhabitants as occupied nor remove Israel’s responsibilities as the occupying power – rather it points to the ‘law of the jungle’ which should not have a place in our world today,” said Saleh Higazi, deputy regional director for Amnesty Middle East and North Africa
“Members of the international community must enforce international law and restate that “annexation” of any part of the occupied West Bank is null and void. They must also work to immediately stop the construction or expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and related infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a first step towards removing Israeli civilians living in such settlements.”
Null “annexation”
Under a deal to form a coalition government in April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and political rival Benny Gantz agreed that a cabinet and parliament deliberations on the domestic process of “annexing” parts of the occupied West Bank, that include Israeli settlements and the area of the Jordan Valley, could begin as of 1 July.
Members of the international community must enforce international law and restate that “annexation” of any part of the occupied West Bank is null and void
Saleh HigaziAnnexation is the claim to acquire territory by force and is a flagrant violation of international law. Such a step by Israel would violate the UN Charter, jus cogens norms of international law, and obligations under international humanitarian law. The prohibition on the acquisition of territory by force is enshrined as a fundamental principle in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
Under domestic Israeli law, moves towards further “annexation” of Palestinian territory would mean a continuation of Israeli settlement expansion. It would also further entrench policies of institutionalized discrimination and mass human rights violations that Palestinians face in the OPT resulting from the occupation.
According to reports, the Israeli proposal could include as much as 33% of the total area of West Bank.
Recently, dozens of UN experts have voiced concerns that the proposed annexation plan would create a “21st century apartheid”.
Illegal settlements
Israel’s policy of settling its civilians in occupied Palestinian territory and displacing the local Palestinian population continues to contravene fundamental rules of international humanitarian law. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.” It also prohibits the “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory”.
Transferring the occupying power’s civilians into the occupied territory is a war crime. Furthermore, the settlements and associated infrastructure are not temporary, do not benefit Palestinians and do not serve the legitimate security needs of the occupying power. Settlements entirely depend on the large-scale appropriation and/or destruction of Palestinian private and public property which are not militarily necessary.
“Settlements are created with the sole purpose of permanently establishing Jewish Israelis on occupied land; this is a war crime under international law and “annexation” has no bearing on this legal determination.” Said Saleh Higazi
Background:
On 20 April, following Israel’s third elections in 10 months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival Benny Gantz formed a coalition government under a unity deal. The deal included an agreement which would allow Israel’s government to start the domestic process of “annexing” parts of the occupied West Bank that include Israeli settlements and the area of the Jordan Valley.
Israel’s “annexation” plans follow the announcement by US President Donald Trump’s so-called “deal of the century” in January 2020 which proposed areas of the occupied West Bank be annexed by Israel.
Amnesty International has made it clear that the Trump Administration’s plan would serve only to worsen human rights violations and enshrine the entrenched impunity that has fueled decades of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other grave violations.
The international community should also reject the so-called “deal of the century”, and any other proposal seeking to undermine the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
Amnesty also calls on governments to offer their full political and practical support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it decides on its jurisdiction over the “situation in Palestine”.
25 june 2020
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Today, US Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Ted Deutch, David Price, and Brad Schneider led 185 of their House Democratic colleagues in a letter to the Israeli government expressing concern over potential efforts to unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank and calling on Israel to reconsider its annexation plan.
The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, highlights the long-standing bipartisan support for the US-Israel relationship and commitment to a two-state solution achieved through direction negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. "Our fear is that unilateral actions, taken by either side, will push the parties further from negotiations and the possibility of a final, negotiated agreement," the Members of Congress write. The letter references two votes in the U.S. House of Representatives in |
2019 - House Resolution 246 and House Resolution 326 - in which House Democrats overwhelmingly approved language supporting the two state solution and the historic bilateral relationship between the US and Israel, reaffirming Congressional support for Israel's security, and recognizing the Palestinian right to self-determination.
The Members of Congress caution that unilateral annexation would likely "risks insecurity in Jordan, with serious ancillary risks to Israel," and "could create serious problems for Israel with its European friends and other partners around the world:"
"We do not see how any of these acute risks serve the long-term interest of a strong, secure Israel," they wrote.
The letter concludes, "As committed partners in supporting and protecting the special US-Israel relationship, we express our deep concern with the stated intention to move ahead with any unilateral annexation of West Bank territory, and we urge your government to reconsider plans to do so."
The Members of Congress caution that unilateral annexation would likely "risks insecurity in Jordan, with serious ancillary risks to Israel," and "could create serious problems for Israel with its European friends and other partners around the world:"
"We do not see how any of these acute risks serve the long-term interest of a strong, secure Israel," they wrote.
The letter concludes, "As committed partners in supporting and protecting the special US-Israel relationship, we express our deep concern with the stated intention to move ahead with any unilateral annexation of West Bank territory, and we urge your government to reconsider plans to do so."
More than 1,000 elected officials from 25 European countries have signed a letter opposing Israel’s latest planned annexation of Palestinian territory.
The letter issued a couple of days ago read as follows:
We, parliamentarians from across Europe committed to a rules-based global order, share serious concerns about President Trump’s plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the imminent prospect of Israeli annexation of West Bank territory. We are deeply worried about the precedent this would set for international relations at
large.
For decades, Europe has been promoting a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the form of a two-state solution, in line with international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Regrettably, President Trump’s plan departs from internationally agreed parameters and principles. It promotes effectively permanent Israeli control over a fragmented Palestinian territory, leaving Palestinians with no sovereignty and giving a green light to Israel to unilaterally annex significant parts of the West Bank.
In line with the Trump plan, Israel’s new coalition agreement states that the government can move forward with annexation as soon as 1 July 2020. Such a move will be fatal to the prospects of Israeli- Palestinian peace and will challenge the most basic norms guiding international relations, including the UN Charter.
We are profoundly concerned about the impact of annexation on the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, as well as its destabilizing potential in a region on our continent’s doorstep. These concerns are no less serious at a time when the world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest collective emergency we have faced for decades.
In appreciation of Europe’s long-term commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we ask European leaders to act decisively in response to this challenge.
Europe must take the lead in bringing international actors together to prevent annexation and to safeguard the prospects of the two-state solution and a just resolution to the conflict.
European representatives, including EU High Representative Josep Borrell, have stated that annexation “could not pass unchallenged”. We fully support this: acquisition of territory by force has no place in 2020 and must have commensurate consequences. Failure to adequately respond would encourage other states with territorial claims to disregard basic principles of international law. The rules-based global order is central to Europe’s own long-term stability and security. We have a profound interest and responsibility to protect it.
A lasting solution to the conflict must meet the legitimate aspirations and security needs and guarantee equal rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. Europe has the diplomatic tools to promote this just goal, and we stand ready to support such efforts.
The letter issued a couple of days ago read as follows:
We, parliamentarians from across Europe committed to a rules-based global order, share serious concerns about President Trump’s plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the imminent prospect of Israeli annexation of West Bank territory. We are deeply worried about the precedent this would set for international relations at
large.
For decades, Europe has been promoting a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the form of a two-state solution, in line with international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. Regrettably, President Trump’s plan departs from internationally agreed parameters and principles. It promotes effectively permanent Israeli control over a fragmented Palestinian territory, leaving Palestinians with no sovereignty and giving a green light to Israel to unilaterally annex significant parts of the West Bank.
In line with the Trump plan, Israel’s new coalition agreement states that the government can move forward with annexation as soon as 1 July 2020. Such a move will be fatal to the prospects of Israeli- Palestinian peace and will challenge the most basic norms guiding international relations, including the UN Charter.
We are profoundly concerned about the impact of annexation on the lives of Israelis and Palestinians, as well as its destabilizing potential in a region on our continent’s doorstep. These concerns are no less serious at a time when the world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest collective emergency we have faced for decades.
In appreciation of Europe’s long-term commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we ask European leaders to act decisively in response to this challenge.
Europe must take the lead in bringing international actors together to prevent annexation and to safeguard the prospects of the two-state solution and a just resolution to the conflict.
European representatives, including EU High Representative Josep Borrell, have stated that annexation “could not pass unchallenged”. We fully support this: acquisition of territory by force has no place in 2020 and must have commensurate consequences. Failure to adequately respond would encourage other states with territorial claims to disregard basic principles of international law. The rules-based global order is central to Europe’s own long-term stability and security. We have a profound interest and responsibility to protect it.
A lasting solution to the conflict must meet the legitimate aspirations and security needs and guarantee equal rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. Europe has the diplomatic tools to promote this just goal, and we stand ready to support such efforts.
Seven European nations warned on Wednesday that any Israeli annexation steps in the occupied Palestinian territories would harm their ties with Israel.
“Following our obligations and responsibilities under international law, annexation would have consequences for our close relationship with Israel and will not be recognized by us,” the French ambassador to the UN in in New York Nicolas de Riviere said in a statement he read out in the name of the seven countries during a virtual meeting.
This position has been voiced by the five European countries who are now members of the UN Security Council, France, Britain, Belgium, Germany, and Estonia. The new incoming European UNSC members, Ireland and Norway, also signed the statement.
“We all currently enjoy a close relationship with Israel and wish to continue working with Israel in a constructive and comprehensive way in the spirit of the long following friendship that binds us,” de Riviere said, but he warned that those ties would not continue if annexation moved forward.
“If any annexation of the West Bank, however big or small is implemented, it would constitute a clear violation of international law, including the UN charter as well as the UN Security Council resolutions,” de Riviere said.
Annexation would weaken peace efforts and harm the security of region, including that of Israel, he added.
The French ambassador underscored that the seven countries would not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders that were not agreed upon during talks between the Palestinians and Israelis.
The seven spoke out after the monthly UNSC meeting on the Middle East, which focused almost exclusively on Israel’s intended annexation plans, which is part of US president Donald Trump’s peace plan known widely as the deal of the century.
To underscore the seriousness of any annexation steps, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit made rare appearance at the meeting to dismiss the Trump peace plan and call for a revival of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the pre-1967 borders. The Trump plan for a two-state solution makes no reference to those borders.
“Following our obligations and responsibilities under international law, annexation would have consequences for our close relationship with Israel and will not be recognized by us,” the French ambassador to the UN in in New York Nicolas de Riviere said in a statement he read out in the name of the seven countries during a virtual meeting.
This position has been voiced by the five European countries who are now members of the UN Security Council, France, Britain, Belgium, Germany, and Estonia. The new incoming European UNSC members, Ireland and Norway, also signed the statement.
“We all currently enjoy a close relationship with Israel and wish to continue working with Israel in a constructive and comprehensive way in the spirit of the long following friendship that binds us,” de Riviere said, but he warned that those ties would not continue if annexation moved forward.
“If any annexation of the West Bank, however big or small is implemented, it would constitute a clear violation of international law, including the UN charter as well as the UN Security Council resolutions,” de Riviere said.
Annexation would weaken peace efforts and harm the security of region, including that of Israel, he added.
The French ambassador underscored that the seven countries would not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders that were not agreed upon during talks between the Palestinians and Israelis.
The seven spoke out after the monthly UNSC meeting on the Middle East, which focused almost exclusively on Israel’s intended annexation plans, which is part of US president Donald Trump’s peace plan known widely as the deal of the century.
To underscore the seriousness of any annexation steps, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit made rare appearance at the meeting to dismiss the Trump peace plan and call for a revival of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on the pre-1967 borders. The Trump plan for a two-state solution makes no reference to those borders.
17 june 2020
Hamas movement has slammed US former envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt over his statements that the “West Bank is not a Palestinian land” and that “applying Israeli law in the West Bank is not illegal”.
Hamas’s spokesman Abed al-Latif al-Qanou’ described Greenblatt’s statements as “nonsense”.
Al-Qanou’ said that these statements are based on a blatant falsification of facts and history, and stem from Greenblatt’s hatred of the Palestinian people.
He stressed that the Palestinian people are the true right and history owners, and that all attempts to alter the history and facts will fail, adding that nothing will stop the Palestinian people from continuing their struggle for freedom.
Hamas’s spokesman Abed al-Latif al-Qanou’ described Greenblatt’s statements as “nonsense”.
Al-Qanou’ said that these statements are based on a blatant falsification of facts and history, and stem from Greenblatt’s hatred of the Palestinian people.
He stressed that the Palestinian people are the true right and history owners, and that all attempts to alter the history and facts will fail, adding that nothing will stop the Palestinian people from continuing their struggle for freedom.
14 june 2020
Israeli leaders sit down with David Friedman as PM’s planned July 1 start date for unilateral move nears and international pressure mounts against application of sovereignty to the region
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met on Sunday with U.S. envoy David Friedman to discuss the planned annexation of territory in the West Bank.
Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin.
The meeting concluded with no official statement released. Another meeting was scheduled for a later date.
On Monday, foreign ministers of the European Union are expected to hold a conference call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which Washington unveiled in February.
In a meeting between German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Netanyahu last week, the visitor warned Israel of implementing annexation, stressing it is “incompatible” with international law.
On Friday, The United Arab Emirates also joined the warning calls, with its Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef al-Otaiba calling Jerusalem to choose between annexation and normalization with the Arab world.
Another voice that had come out in opposition to the U.S. initiative was that of the West Bank settlers' leadership, who implored Netanyahu to heed their advice.
“We all want you to be the first prime minister who applied sovereignty, but we don’t want you to be remembered as the prime minister who laid the foundations of a Palestinian State,” Yesha Council (the umbrella body of settlement municipal councils in the West Bank) said in a statement released ahead of the premier’s meeting with Friedman.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met on Sunday with U.S. envoy David Friedman to discuss the planned annexation of territory in the West Bank.
Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin.
The meeting concluded with no official statement released. Another meeting was scheduled for a later date.
On Monday, foreign ministers of the European Union are expected to hold a conference call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which Washington unveiled in February.
In a meeting between German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Netanyahu last week, the visitor warned Israel of implementing annexation, stressing it is “incompatible” with international law.
On Friday, The United Arab Emirates also joined the warning calls, with its Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef al-Otaiba calling Jerusalem to choose between annexation and normalization with the Arab world.
Another voice that had come out in opposition to the U.S. initiative was that of the West Bank settlers' leadership, who implored Netanyahu to heed their advice.
“We all want you to be the first prime minister who applied sovereignty, but we don’t want you to be remembered as the prime minister who laid the foundations of a Palestinian State,” Yesha Council (the umbrella body of settlement municipal councils in the West Bank) said in a statement released ahead of the premier’s meeting with Friedman.
