An Israeli government led by Likud would annex settlements in the West Bank, Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
Speaking to USA Today, the former prime minister said: “Would I do it unilaterally? No, I said that right from the start. I would not, because I would like to do it with the understanding and support of the United States.
“We were on the verge of getting it. I think that if I'm re-elected, I will get it. I have plans on how to get it.”
Mr Netanyahu conceded that annexation would “probably not” happen during Joe Biden’s term, however.
He compared the attempt to secure American backing to his successful push to have the Iran nuclear deal rejected.
Mr Netanyahu said: “As everybody said, under the previous administration, the Obama administration, ‘you're not going to get America to leave the dangerous nuclear deal.’
“And I said, `Okay, well, tomorrow is another day. And they did leave it.
“I believe eventually that the United States under this or that administration will come to recognise this reality. Nobody is going to break apart the settlement.”
@netanyahu tells me that he wants to annex West Bank settlements if re-elected - @USATODAY pic.twitter.com/o1cvE8Vbzf
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) October 26, 2022
The Likud leader, who is hoping to retake power when Israel goes to the polls on November 1, also described America as his country’s “closest ally”.
“Many times I was asked by President Obama, by President Biden, you know, I was asked two things. `One, no surprises. Please tell us before you do anything.’ And I said, 'No, sometimes I will. Sometimes I won't,’” Mr Netanyahu said.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis live in a network of over 100 West Bank settlements, which includes 12 in East Jerusalem.
While running for election in 2019, Mr Netanyahu also pledged to annex large swathes of Judea and Samaria.
He told Channel 12: “I am going to extend sovereignty and I don’t distinguish between settlement blocs and the isolated settlements.
“From my perspective, any point of settlement is Israeli, and we have responsibility, as the Israeli government. I will not uproot anyone, and I will not transfer sovereignty to the Palestinians.”
