The Trump administration has chastised the Palestinians for rejecting its plan. Israel and the US have long accused the Palestinians of failing to provide their own proposal. The Palestinians said their demands are rooted in international law and UN resolutions. The two sides have not held substantive peace negotiations in more than a decade.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to annex large parts of Judea and Samaria. This is in line with the Trump plan, which would give the Palestinians limited statehood in a cluster of enclaves if they meet a long list of conditions. Israel is expected to begin the annexation process as soon as July 1.
The Palestinians have responded to the threat of annexation by cutting all ties with Israel, including security coordination, and saying they are no longer bound by agreements going back to the early 1990s. They are also seeking to rally international support against annexation, hoping to pressure Netanyahu to back down.
Key Arab nations, including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have condemned the annexation plan. The European Union, which has close ties with Israel, has also warned that annexation could have negative consequences for relations. It has urged both sides to resume dialogue and to avoid unilateral steps, but has not announced any concrete planned responses. Shtayyeh told reporters that annexation is an "existential threat" that would mark the "total erosion of our national aspirations." The Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 war. -Full Report
Gantz to German FM: Trump peace plan a historic opportunity
As Germany issues warning, Israel vows to act responsibly in sovereignty bid
Netanyahu Tells German FM Israel Must Retain West Bank Security Control in Any Future Peace Deal
Netanyahu to initially annex 3 settlement blocs, not Jordan Valley - officials
Netanyahu to German FM: Israel must control Jordan Valley, keep settlements there under peace deal
