Israeli settlers denounce abandonment of annexation of part of West Bank

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2 min

This is one of the consequences of the agreement announced Thursday between Israel and the United Arab Emirates with a view to normalizing their relations: the Israeli government renounces annexing parts of the West Bank, in accordance with a campaign promise of Benyamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister assures us that this is only a “temporary pause”, that he remains mobilized in favor of this annexation. But this turnaround is a source of disappointment for the Israeli settlers.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Guilhem Delteil

In Israel, there are few voices to criticize the announcement of this agreement with a view to normalizing relations with an Arab country. In the settlements, residents also salute this diplomatic success of Benyamin Netanyahu. But that does not prevent bitterness, even resentment, from some right-wing voters.

As evidenced by a resident of Otniel, a small settlement south of Hebron. “  I am very disappointed with Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he says. I think that whatever the United States or whoever says, Israel needs to apply its sovereignty immediately. "

For Dan Bismuth, Benyamin Netanyahu's renunciation of annexation even marks a breaking point. He is the chief of staff to the president of the Samaria Regional Council, an Israeli territorial collectivity in the northern West Bank, called Judea and Samaria by the Israelis. “  I think Mr. Netanyahu is no longer a right-wing man, he is a center-left man. Too bad. And maybe it's time to bow out,  ”he says.

The disappointment is also shared by Aron Katsof, who lives east of Ramallah. But this winegrower believes that you have to be patient: “  Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria where I live is a fact. And that will happen de facto. Even if we don't technically do it now. There are 400,000 or 500,000 Israeli citizens living here. It will happen. "

Aron Katsof says he does not know if he can still trust Benyamin Netanyahu to annex the settlements. “  But, he judges, it remains our best option for the moment.  "

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