Report: Gantz agrees to limited West Bank annexation, inches closer to unity gov't
The development could mean that a unity government is within striking distance
Israel Resilience party leader Benny Gantz has reportedly accepted terms with incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party that will see limited annexation of territories in the West Bank.
According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 13, Gantz is demanding that any moves to annex West Bank territory be frozen until Israel has defeated the current coronavirus health crisis paralyzing the nation.
The former IDF chief of staff is reportedly only willing to annex territory west of Israel's security barrier and rejects extending Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley out of concern it could irrevocably damage diplomatic ties with Amman.
Channel 13 reported that Gantz expected the move will not be done unilaterally but rather as part of a broad peace initiative, possibly in tandem with the US.
If the report is confirmed, the development marks a major hurdle overcome by both sides and indicates a unity government may be reached soon.
Netanyahu and Gantz have been in negotiations for weeks over terms of a unity deal that will see the first Israeli government established in more than a year.
Meanwhile, Labor party chairman Amir Peretz announced that he will end a unification agreement with left-wing partners Meretz. The Labor party is expected to join the government once a deal between Gantz and the premier is complete.
The formation of a new government, however, is not expected until after the Passover holiday.