West Bank annexation will wait for coronavirus, says Israel defence minister

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to begin annexing West Bank territory will have to wait due to the coronavirus crisis, the Defence Minister says.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to begin annexing West Bank territory will have to wait due to the country’s coronavirus crisis, the Defence Minister says.

Benny Gantz, who also holds the title of alternative prime minister, told his Blue and White Party on Tuesday AEST that his top priority is helping the country navigate the health and economic crisis stemming from the pandemic. “Anything unrelated to the battle against the coronavirus will wait,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu has said he wants to begin annexing occupied land as soon as this week, in line with President Donald Trump’s Middle East plan. A top US envoy is in the country trying to work out a deal with the Israelis.

Mr Gantz’s announcement ­immediately complicated that mission and exposed a rift in the country’s new coalition government, which brings together Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party and Blue and White.

Earlier, Mr Netanyahu told Likud members that he was working “discretely” with the Americans. “The issue does not depend on Blue and White,” he said.

The UN’s human rights chief said the planned annexation would have “disastrous” consequences for the region.

The warning by Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, added to the growing chorus of international voices urging Israel not to annex territory.

The UN secretary-general, the EU and key Arab countries have all spoken out against annexation, saying it would violate international law and all but destroy any remaining hopes of establishing a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. “The precise consequences of annexation cannot be predicted,” Ms Bachelet said. “But they are likely to be disastrous for the Palestinians, for Israel itself, and for the wider region.”

Israel’s foreign ministry ­accused Ms Bachelet of politicising her office and noted that it froze ties with her office early this year due to what it called her “one-sided” attitude.

“It is not surprising that she decided today to join the Palestinian campaign against the American peace plan, and to publish declarations before any decision has been made,” the ministry said.

The Trump plan, unveiled in January, envisions leaving 30 per cent of the West Bank under permanent Israeli control, while granting the Palestinians autonomy in the remainder of the area.

The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, for a fully independent state. Israel captured all three areas in the 1967 Middle East war, though it withdrew from Gaza in 2005, clearing the way for Hamas militants to seize control two years later.

Both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gantz have been meeting US officials to work on a final map outlining which areas will be annexed.

AP