Gantz orders IDF to prepare for implementation of US peace plan - Ariel Kahana , Lilach Shoval , Itsik Saban and News Agencies

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by Ariel Kahana , Lilach Shoval , Itsik Saban and News Agencies 

Gantz orders IDF to prepare for implementation of US peace plan, PM Netanyahu speaks with top White House adviser Jared Kushner, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on the plan to apply Israeli law to Judea and Samaria. Defense minister, IDF chief discuss "implications on the ground."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday spoke with White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman. US Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz and Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer were also included in the conversation.

A White House official described the conversation as "friendly" and "productive" adding only that it focused on "confidential diplomatic issues."

The discussion is believed to have focused mostly on the US Middle East peace initiative, as part of which Netanyahu plans to apply Israeli law to large parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, potentially as early as next month.

A source privy to the issue said that given the recent domestic tensions in the United States, Washington prefers Netanyahu to slow down the annexation move. This is likely to push the prime minister's plan to present the sovereignly bid to the Knesset's approval by July 1.

Monday also saw Defense Minister Benny Gantz meet with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi to discuss the implementation of the sovereignly move.

A statement by Gantz's office said he ordered the military to prepare for the fallout from the controversial annexation, asking the military chief "speed up the [military's] readiness ahead of political steps on the agenda concerning the Palestinian arena."

The Palestinian Authority has warned it will spare no effort to oppose Israel's plan. PA President Mahmoud Abbas suspended security cooperation with Israel over the annexation issue and Hamas, the terrorist group controlling the Gaza Strip, warned of an intifada – a violent uprising – if Israel pushed ahead with its plan.

Gantz said he ordered Kochavi to "examine all the ramifications and the required preparations" stemming from moving ahead with the implementation of the "deal of the century."

The annexation plan has come under harsh criticism from some of Israel's closest allies, who say that unilaterally redrawing the Mideast map would destroy any lingering hopes for establishing a Palestinian state and reaching a two-state peace agreement.

Persian Gulf states, which do not have official diplomatic relations with Israel but maintains close behind-the-scenes contacts with the Jewish state and which are expected to play a key role in any potential Trump peace initiative in the region, have also warned Israel against any unilateral moves on the ground.

Also on Monday, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi met with UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov in Jerusalem.

The two discussed various regional issues, including the Trump peace plan.

Ashkenazi, who like Gantz is a former IDF chief of staff, believes the plan presents historic opportunities for Israel. Mladenov fiercely opposes the move, saying it would doom the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Mladenov described the meeting as "good," adding the UN "remains committed to the two-state solution."


Ariel Kahana , Lilach Shoval , Itsik Saban and News Agencies

Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/06/02/gantz-orders-idf-to-prepare-for-implementation-of-us-peace-plan/

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