Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to forge a path toward normal diplomatic relations. Israel says as part of the agreement it will suspend its controversial plans to annex more territory in the West Bank.
Netanyahu had vowed to annex portions of the occupied West Bank this summer, with support from the Trump administration. But Israelis were divided on the plan, and a spike in coronavirus infections there pulled the focus away from a debate over annexation.
Palestinians and Arab leaders had expressed outrage over the annexation proposal, and there was strong opposition from countries outside the region. Even British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a self-described"passionate defender of Israel,"For decades, the international community has sought to resolve the status of the West Bank through negotiations, not unilateral moves by either side.Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has endorsed the deal, too.
So have key Israeli lawmakers and even some Israeli settlers, including vocal supporters of annexation. But The Associated Press notes that"harder-line settlers" have spoken out against the deal, with settler leader David Alhayani saying of Netanyahu,"The faith in you has expired."on Twitter, saying Israel was"rewarded for not openly declaring what it's been doing to Palestine illegally and persistently.
Earlier this summer, while still committed to its plans for annexation, Israel announced a groundbreaking partnership with the UAE on the fight against
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