The Trump administration declared on Monday that the United States does not consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law, reversing four decades of American policy and removing what has been an important barrier to annexation of Palestinian territory.Besides the obvious benefit to Netanyahu and Trump's naked attempts to pander to Jewish voters. there is another party who benefits.
The announcement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was the latest political gift from the Trump administration to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed in two elections this year to push for the annexation of the West Bank. His chief opponent, Benny Gantz, has until Wednesday night to gather a majority in Israel’s Parliament or he will relinquish his chance to form a new government, raising the prospect of a third round of elections.
That is Russia.
For decades, the United States has tried to be a nation that tried to facilitate an agreement between the Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab nations bordering Israel. The 1979 Camp David Accords and the 1993/1995 Oslo Accords are examples of that.
Trump has trashed all that. There is now only one quasi-global power who has at least semi-decent relationships with all parties.
That nation is Russia.
As in so many things that Trump does: All roads lead to Putin.
Oh, don't worry, Jared will ride in and fix everything any day now.
ReplyDelete-Doug in Oakland
Yes, Jared will save the day with a power point presentation. Looks like the dominists may get their war in the holy land.
ReplyDelete