Likud lawmaker Danny Danon to submit Jordan Valley annexation bill
Former Israeli ambassador to UN and current Likud lawmaker Danny Danon is sponsoring a bill that would annex the Jordan Valley, which makes up roughly 30% of the West Bank
Likud lawmaker and former Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, is preparing a bill that would annex the Jordan Valley.
The bill, which was shared with Jewish News, states that the purpose of the law is “full application of Israeli law to all areas of the Jordan Valley,” including the “industrial areas that serve them, the archaeological sites in the area and the access roads to these areas.”
The bill stresses “historic and economic” importance of the valley to Israel, as well as the security it provides, and is supported by the Jordan Valley Regional Council chairman, as well as a number of coalition and opposition lawmakers.
“The annexation of the Jordan Valley is a significant issue for Israel from an historical, economical as well as crucially, from a security perspective. We know that there is support for the application of Israel’s sovereignty of the Jordan Valley, both in the government’s coalition as well as in the opposition,” Danon said.
“I am optimistic that many MKs on both sides of the aisle will voice their support. There is no better time to apply sovereignty and we must join forces to do so imminently,” he concluded.
If passed the annexation will likely draw international condemnation, with most countries considering the settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law.
Netanyahu said in an interview with USA TODAY prior to the elections in November that he had a “plan” as to how he would annex West Bank settlements, but that it would “probably not” happen under the Biden administration.
“Would I do it unilaterally? No, I said that right from the start. I would not, because I would like to do it with the understanding and support of the United States. We were on the verge of getting it. I think that if I’m reelected, I will get it. I have plans on how to get it,” Netanyahu said.
There are 30 Israeli settlements and kibbutzim in the Jordan Valley, of which 22 are in the Jordan Valley Regional Council, and seven in the Dead Sea Scrolls Regional Council and the Ma’ale Ephraim local council.
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