Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is set to visit Jordan amid rising tensions between the two countries over plans to annex areas of the occupied West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley, according to a report by London-based Arabic language news outlet Rai Al-Youm.
The report was also picked up by Israel’s Channel 12, which reported Gantz’s trip could involve an audience with King Abdullah II and a visit to the Jordanian capital, Amman.
#UN Warns of New Political Crisis if #Annexation Plans Go Ahead https://t.co/AffRAfCxwT via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/PsRzu4yiou
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According to the report, if the trip is confirmed, it would be the Israeli defense minister’s first international trip since the new government was formed in April.
Tensions between Israel and Jordan have risen in recent weeks as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 1 July 1 date for starting the process of annexation looms.
#Israel’s #OneState Reality is Facilitated by the International Community https://t.co/slDU7EBRqy via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/0kLyuCxBVR
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King Abdullah II has warned that Israel’s annexation plans could spark a “massive conflict” between the neighboring states, while his Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has said any unilateral move by Israel undermines the two-state solution and could cause “a violent conflict”.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported on Saturday that Jordan could recall its ambassador to Tel Aviv as a first step of retaliation if the self-declared Jewish state starts the process of annexation.
The US administration, however, has said it is unwilling to greenlight the unilateral takeover of parts of the West Bank and Jordan Valley without Gantz’s support, according to a report by Channel 12.
The Darkening Sky over #Palestine: Storm Clouds or Nightfall? by Prof. Richard Falk https://t.co/t7wSC2R3ut via @PalestineChron #Resistance #IsraeliApartheid #IsraeliOccupation pic.twitter.com/Fj7k3AZyBZ
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The channel also said the US is seeking approval from Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi before supporting annexation plans.
Gantz has historically been an opponent of unilateral annexation but has shown a softening of opinion towards the issue in recent weeks.
On June 1, the Israeli defense minister ordered the army to intensify preparations to deal with the potentially violent fall out from annexation.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
