Netanyahu Fast-tracks Jordan Valley Annexation Bill

“There is no reason that this important bill won’t pass with an 80-MK majority,” said MK Sharon Haskel, who authored the bill.

By World Israel News Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expedited a bill to annex the Jordan Valley, reported the Israeli Makor Rishon news outlet on Tuesday.

Thanks to Netanyahu, the annexation bill authored by MK Sharren Haskel is on the fast track to pass and is expected to reach the Knesset floor by next week.

“There is no reason that this important bill won’t pass with an 80-MK majority,” Haskel said.

The Jordan Valley, which comprises almost a quarter of Judea and Samaria, is deemed by the international community as illegal, and for decades the U.S. also abided by that policy. However, that all changed on Monday when U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that “any legal decision about the issue is appropriate for resolution by Israeli courts,” which in effect gives Israel the green light to begin annexing Judea and Samaria.

Trump’s reversal of the country’s Judea and Samaria policy is a historic one, just like his decisions to recognize Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State. Israeli politicians are ecstatic over Trump’s continued support of Israel’s interests.

On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to applaud the latest US decision.

“Today, the United States adopted an important policy that rights a historical wrong when the Trump administration clearly rejected the false claim that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are inherently ‘illegal’ under international law,” Netanyahu said.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said, “I bless the U.S. government on this important decision, which points again to its strong stand on the side of Israel and its obligation to the security and future of the Middle East in general.”