Israel and the Middle East News Update

Tuesday, June 23

Headlines: ● Trump Set to Make Decision on Annexation ● Thousands of Palestinians Protest Against Annexation ● UNHRC Condemns Annexation, Calls for Report on Impacts ● Netanyahu Presents Gantz Annexation or Election Ultimatum ● Republicans Set to Declare Support for Sovereignty Bid ● Reaches Record Number of Openly Gay Lawmakers ● Israel Grants 700 Jordanians Permits to Work in Eilat Hotels ● Drone and Missile Attack Reported on Saudi Arabia

Commentary: ● Ma’ariv: “Hamas’s Dilemma” − By Michael Milshtein

● Ma’ariv: “Annexing Judea and Samaria, Disengaging from the US” − By Danny Gillerman, Israel’s ambassador to the UN (2003-2008)

S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace 1725 I St NW Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 The Hon. Robert Wexler, President News Excerpts June 23, 2020 Jerusalem Post Trump Set to Make Decision on Annexation US President Donald Trump is poised to make a final decision today as to whether and how Israel should apply sovereignty to parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu has said he wants to apply Israeli law to the full 30% of the West Bank allotted by the Trump plan. Gantz has called the Trump plan a “historic opportunity,” but has strong reservations about many of its details and seeks to reduce the area in which Israel would extend its sovereignty. He and Netanyahu have discussed a phased sovereignty plan. US Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs David Schenker said Israel will likely take the concerns of the UAE and other Arab nations into consideration when weighing its plans. Gantz has expressed concerns that unilateral action would put the peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt at risk. See also ‘‘Friedman to Democrats: Palestinian Authority Needs to Condemn Terror’’ (Jerusalem Post)

Ha’aretz Thousands of Palestinians Protest Against Annexation Thousands of Palestinians rallied against Israel's planned annexation of areas of the West Bank in a mass protest organized by the Fatah political party. In the protest were PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Nickolay Mladenov, the United Nations’s Middle East envoy, Arab and other foreign diplomats, including the ambassadors of the European Union, China, Russia and Jordan. Palestinian activists said the Israeli army had erected checkpoints en route to Jericho, was questioning drivers about their destinations and preventing busses from arriving at the rally. The Israeli army confirmed that it prevented several buses from reaching the protest, in accordance with "a continuous evaluation of the situation." See also ‘‘EU, UN Officials Attend Fatah-Sponsored Anti-Annexation Rally’’ (Jerusalem Post)

Jerusalem Post UNHRC Condemns Annexation, Calls for Report on Impacts UNHRC condemned pending annexation plans, even as it approved the annual settlements resolution with a 36-2 vote, as it wrapped up its 43rd session in Geneva on Monday. It also called on Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet to compile a report on the impact of annexation, to be delivered at the UNHRC's 46th session next March. The controversial settlements resolution, which has been used in past years to call for the creation of a database of businesses operating in Jewish areas located over the pre-1967 lines, continued to call for a boycott of such businesses and to warn that those who engaged in such activity were liable to be penalized under international law. The text also expressed its concern over settler violence and called for the confiscation of settler arms.

2 I24 News Netanyahu Presents Gantz Annexation or Election Ultimatum Prime Minister gave Defense Minister Benny Gantz an ultimatum to join the West Bank annexation effort or to head into another round of elections, Israel Hayom reported (known to be supportive of Netanyahu). According to the report, Netanyahu was surprised to learn that Alternate Prime Minister Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi have many reservations over the annexation plan. The Israeli premier, the report specified, has the veto power over the annexation bid, unlike other matters included in the coalition agreement with Gantz’s Blue and White party. Netanyahu and the former military chief have had extensive meetings over the last week to discuss various scenarios of the plan. According to Israeli media reports, Gantz prefers a multilateral diplomatic initiative, with benefits given to Palestinians as well, as opposed to a unilateral move that could see up to 30 percent of the West Bank come under Israeli sovereignty. See also ‘‘Netanyahu to Gantz: Sovereignty or Elections’’ (Israel Hayom)

Israel Hayom Republicans Set to Declare Support for Sovereignty Bid House Republicans were expected to release a declaration of support for Israel's right to apply sovereignty in parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, Israel Hayom learned. Republican leaders in recent days have been finalizing the wording of the announcement, which is expected to comprehensively support Israel's right to pursue its own interests in accordance with the Trump administration's plan for Middle East peace. Also on Sunday, prominent Evangelist leader, Pastor John Hagee, issued a similar message in an op-ed appearing in Ha’aretz. Hagee writes: "From a Biblical, historical and legal perspective, Israel owns, and does not occupy, the Holy Land. And one cannot be an occupier on land it owns. See also ‘‘Top House Republicans Back Netanyahu as He Pushes to Annex West Bank Territory’’ (Washington Free Beacon)

Times of Israel Israel Reaches Record Number of Openly Gay Lawmakers Israel swore in another openly gay lawmaker, marking a record for the country considered a regional pioneer on LGBT rights, despite opposition from religious conservatives. Yorai Lahav- Hertzano from the opposition Yesh Atid-Telem alliance became the latest politician to join the 120-seat , bringing to six the number of openly gay lawmakers. Lahav-Hertzano’s appointment came after a law change allowing ministers to leave their parliamentary seats and be replaced by another member of their own party. During March elections, he was on the Blue and White alliance slate, but though the party entered a unity government, its partners in Yesh Atid-Telem joined the opposition. Under Knesset rules, Lahav-Hertzano had the right to choose which of the two factions he would represent. Five percent of Israeli lawmakers are now openly gay, the fourth-highest figure in the world, according to political scientist Andrew Reynolds. See also ‘‘Honoring Pride Week, Recognizes Same-Sex Couples’’ (Al-Monitor)

3 Al-Monitor Israel Grants 700 Jordanians Permits to Work in Eilat Hotels Israel’s government approved work permits for 700 Jordanians to enter the country and work at hotels in the southern city of Eilat. An additional 800 Jordanian workers are expected to be approved in the coming days. Newly appointed Tourism Minister Asaf Zamir explained, "The ban on workers from entering Eilat prevents the reopening of hotels in the city, because it is Jordanian workers who do most of the cleaning and maintenance positions in the hotels." Zamir added that the workers won’t be able to commute back and forth between the countries and that the employers will be responsible for providing the workers with adequate housing. Upon their arrival, the Jordanians will have to spend 14 days in quarantine to ensure they are not carrying the novel coronavirus. While tensions between Jerusalem and Amman are high over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation plan, the Jordan authorities do not seem to be standing in the way of Jordanians interested in working in Israel.

Jerusalem Post Drone and Missile Attack Reported on Saudi Arabia Explosions heard around the capital of Saudi Arabia were alleged to be a drone and missile attack in the first hours of Tuesday morning. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed media reports of “possible missile or drone” attacks that struck a building in Riyadh. Concerned that more were incoming the US mission urged people to take precautions. The US mission statement said that if people heard explosions, they should take cover. If they live in a building, they are to go to the lowest part away from windows or near interior walls. “If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover.” This unprecedented statement issued during an attack appeared to confirm that the attack was unfolding and ongoing. Rumors said multiple waves of attacks were being feared from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia said that the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen has intercepted drones laden with explosives. The Houthi rebels have sophisticated drones that were built on Iranian models. Iran says its drones can fly hundreds of miles for hours with warheads. In February 2018 an Iranian drone flown from Syria penetrated Israeli airspace. Iran also sent “killer drone” teams near the Golan in August 2019.

4 Ma’ariv – June 23, 2020 Hamas’s Dilemma By Michael Milshtein ● The last few weeks have ostensibly been a “strategic paradise” for Hamas in Gaza. Hamas emerged from the coronavirus crisis with fewer than 100 sick and just a single death, and it has been observing from the sidelines the annexation crisis and the weakening of the Palestinian Authority, which in time, is liable to give Hamas the opportunity to fill the vacuum left by the regime in Ramallah. In practice, Hamas’s situation is far from being brilliant, mainly because of the civilians’ distress in Gaza, which has been a strategic challenge to its rule for a decade and a half. In addition to the challenges of the coronavirus and of annexation, Hamas is facing higher hurdles than it had to face just a few months ago: the end of civilian coordination with Israel has negatively impacted the lives of the Gaza Strip residents (mainly their freedom of movement); the PA government in Ramallah has further reduced the (already limited) aid that it gives to Gaza, and the Qatari money that the Gaza Strip is eagerly awaiting, has been slow in coming. ● The rising restiveness in the Gaza Strip has already left its security mark, following a period of relative calm during the coronavirus crisis. Bomb-rigged balloons have begun to “trickle” out; a rocket was fired, prompting an IDF attack (the first in four months); and there is now talk of resuming the marches of return soon. In addition, Hamas faces an acute dilemma over what its response ought to be to annexation: should it join and possibly even the battle that might ensue (Hamas is afraid that the PA might win points in public opinion from a clash of that kind), or should it refrain from risking an escalation in the Gaza Strip, which is liable to come at a high price? Currently, it seems that Hamas has adopted the PA’s strategy—as long as Israel does not make actual changes on the ground, it will not do anything extreme but will consider “shifting into higher gear” depending on “the depth of annexation.” ● Like in Judea and Samaria, which is trying to recover from the harsh economic blow it took because of the coronavirus crisis, in Gaza too violence is liable to ensue even before annexation, even if annexation is either called off or delayed. Much depends on the citizens’ behavior and on Israel’s willingness to give civilian relief measures to the Gaza Strip. It would be correct to do so at the current juncture in time so as to avert a clash on the two Palestinian fronts, but Israel should make that conditional on concessions by Hamas, mainly as pertains to the very important issue of the MIAs and hostages.

5 Ma’ariv – June 23, 2020 Annexing Judea and Samaria, Disengaging from the US By Danny Gillerman ● In any conversation about annexation or about the application of sovereignty, people often talk about the security ramifications, about the rift with the Palestinians, about the crisis with Jordan and about how it is likely to undermine relations with the moderate Arab states. But I think that the real danger is not in our region, but rather far from here, across the ocean, in that it will have a negative impact on our relations with our greatest and perhaps only friend, the United States. We still do not truly know what American policy is on annexation, and there appear to be differences of opinion within the administration as to its timing and scope. ● But the real danger lies elsewhere. The State of Israel’s most important strategic asset has always been US support, and was based on the fact that this support always spanned the parties, that it was bipartisan. In other words, it did not matter who was the president and which party controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate, support for Israel was always total—from the right and from the left, from the Democrats and from the Republicans, and from a large majority of the American people. Sadly, we have lost this asset in the last few years and support for us has become clearly one- party. Israel today enjoys massive Republican support and strong Democratic opposition. This reversal constitutes the biggest strategic threat to us. ● While it’s true that applying sovereignty today could be viewed as an act to capitalize on the fact that there is a supportive president in the White House today who will let us do that, but this is liable to be perceived by the Democrats as an unacceptable gambit just four months before elections. Three senior Democratic senators, all of whom are long- standing friends of Israel—Chuck Schumer, Robert Menendez and Ben Cardin— yesterday stated their opposition. Even Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, has declared his opposition. ● Taking the step of annexation, or applying Israeli sovereignty, is liable not only to be viewed as an unacceptable gambit before the elections, but also as a slap in the face to the people who in a few months could be in power in the country that is our greatest friend. Since American support is so critical, our supreme interest should be to heal the rifts with large parts of the American public (including the Jews) and not deepen them. That is why I hope that among the considerations of the prime minister and the defense and foreign ministers, they will also keep this critical issue in mind. To conclude, I will quote Ben Gurion, the first prime minister, who was asked by President Kennedy in their first meeting, “Mr. Prime Minister, what can I do for Israel,” and Ben Gurion’s wise answer was: “Mr. President, be a good president to the United States.” How wise and how true for these times as well.

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