Deputy Foreign Minister blasts Defense Minister's warning against annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria, accuses him of intimidation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) blasted Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman Monday over what she called his efforts to “intimidate” coalition members against annexing portions of Judea and Samaria.
“Minister Liberman is attempting to create a reality that does not exist yet in Washington,” Hotovely told media outlets.
Earlier on Monday, the Defense Minister warned coalition members that annexation of parts of Judea and Samaria would have dire consequences for Israel’s relationship with the new White House.
"Anyone who wants to apply Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria needs to understand that such a step will bring immediate repercussions from the new US government."
"We received a direct - not indirect - message: 'Apply sovereignty and you will be cutting ties with the new government.' The coalition must explain, once and for all, that we will not apply sovereignty. Anyone who wants a crisis and who has 20 billion NIS to spare is welcome to apply sovereignty.”
But Hotovely pushed back on Liberman’s claims, saying no such message had been received.
“The political dialogue with the Americans hasn’t started yet, the current administration hasn’t put together any strategic plan for the region yet. The American government is open to considering new policies and all of the options are still on the table.”
Hotovely slammed Liberman’s “intimidation” of supporters of annexation, saying his comments harmed Israel’s position vis-à-vis the United States and ability to determine policy.
“This unnecessary intimidation damages Israel’s ability to act freely.”
