To: Les H who wrote (47521 ) 9/8/2025 12:45:30 PM From: Les H Read Replies (1) | Respond to With the U.S Turning a Blind Eye, Israeli Settlers Rush to Push West Bank AnnexationThough careful not to explicitly endorse Israel's settlement project in the West Bank, the U.S. State Department's recent visa bans on Palestinian officials and groups, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's upcoming visit to a Jewish settler site, point to a tacit green light for annexation Liza Rozovsky, Haaretz, September 7, 2025 Bezalel Smotrich, who is responsible for most of "civil" matters in the West Bank, presented a detailed annexation plan this week. His plan would leave a few Palestinian protectorates that are separated from each other, surrounded by Israeli sovereign territory. The few Palestinians who would remain in the area after the settlers' expulsion operations would have no civil or political rights. Omer Rahamim, the CEO of Yesha Council, the umbrella group representing settlements,has already heard what he wants to hear in Rubio's words. He determined that "The United States is giving Israel a green light to apply sovereignty." As the settlers promote their plan, Israel has been repeatedly threatening annexation "in response" to Western countries recognizing a Palestinian state. The threats have been broadcast to French and British diplomats for several months now, first and foremost by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar may not speak publicly regarding annexation, but he is making an effort to leak enough details for the public to know that he is taking up the cause as well. The minister has reportedly been discussing the topic with Rubio recently. ... Meanwhile, the United States is increasingly brazen in applying public, humiliating moves against the Palestinian Authority, coordinated with Israel, and likely at the latter's behest. First, the State Department revoked visas from the Palestinian leadership , thereby banning Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from coming to the leaders' conference in the UN General Assembly, as well as to the meeting in which several countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Canada, are expected to announce their official recognition of a Palestinian state. This week, Rubio's State Department sanctioned three Palestinian human rights groups due to their collaboration with the International Criminal Court in its investigations against Israel. Ambassador Huckabee took a step further and followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by attacking the ICC, saying it "needs to be shut down." Haaretz
