(TPS) US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides warned that Washington would oppose any Israeli steps to annex Judea and Samaria.
In comments made on Israel’s Kan News aired on Thursday morning, Nides said that while he wants to work closely with Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, “We will stand up for the things we believe in. That’s what American values are about. We’re a very strong ally of Israel. But there will be times when we will articulate what we believe our differences are.”
The comments were the first by American officials on specific issues related to Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
One of the Religious Zionism party’s demands for joining Netanyahu’s coalition is for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria to be governed by Israeli government ministries instead of the IDF Civil Administration.
See: Annexation is an Opportunity for Peace, Says Israeli Expert
In response to a question about whether Washington is prepared to deal with far-right MK Itamar Ben-Gvir in a senior Cabinet position, Nides said, “I’m not going to make draconian statements that I’m not ever going to talk to anyone. It doesn’t matter left or right. We’ll see who gets to be in these positions and what positions they take vis-a-vis their positions. I want to see rhetorically what they say and how they act.”
He added, “My job as the American ambassador is to keep dialogues going, conversations going, and push back on things that we disagree with. And I will be pushing back aggressively on things that we disagree with. But at this point, the government isn’t even formed.”
I think if Mr Nides has a look at the division of Transjordan that made the Jewish homeland he’ll find that Judea and Samaria are Israeli territory. What’s he going to do to stop the Palestinians misappropriating it?
After reading the comments, I had to ask, WHY? With all the progress made in relations with the surrounding countries, resulting with the Abraham Accords, that made conditions better for the US in that part of the world, why would we pander to those who have intent on always making conditions worse? Why INSIST to push the moronic concept of a ‘two state solution?’
My first thought was this demented regime was, again, speaking to its radical base. One which is not only biased against anything Israel, but let’s be honest, is unabashedly anti-Semitic. However, reviewing the character and history of those in the regime reminded me that – they, themselves, ARE the base!
There is absolutely nothing positive to gain, for the US or ANYONE, by pushing this agenda. This can only be motivated by pure resentment, jealousy and bitterness on their part. These are truly pathetic people.