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Netanyahu Gambles on West Bank Annexation Vow

Netanyahu Gambles on West Bank Annexation Vow

(Bloomberg) --

With Benjamin Netanyahu facing a tight election tomorrow, the scandal-tainted prime minister has made a once-shunned notion a top campaign issue: the annexation of West Bank lands.

In the 52 years since it conquered the West Bank, Israel has steered clear of taking a step that would draw even greater international condemnation than its longtime occupation.

But, mindful of the welcome reception of such a move from nationalist voters he’s courting, Netanyahu suggested out of the blue Saturday evening he’d extend sovereignty over West Bank areas where there are Israeli settlements. That could constitute as much as 60 percent of the territory, when taking things like roads that service the settlements into account.

It could all be a ploy to shift the campaign focus from the corruption allegations against him, and Netanyahu has made incendiary remarks just before election day before, only to walk them back. 

The comments risk torpedoing U.S. President Donald Trump’s long-awaited peace plan, which already is in trouble after the U.S. declared Jerusalem to be Israel’s capital in December 2017, souring relations with Palestinians.

Netanyahu’s main challenger, former military chief Benny Gantz, said in response that he supports “looking into a peace agreement” and won’t take unilateral steps.

Israelis will have a chance to choose who to believe tomorrow.

Netanyahu Gambles on West Bank Annexation Vow

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And finally... Rahul Gandhi, president of India’s main opposition Congress party, won’t only have to compete against two serious contenders when the nation’s elections kick off on Thursday — but several others who share his famous last name. It’s a common practice for rivals to field dummy candidates in a bid to confuse voters or circumvent election spending limits. And Gandhi’s not alone: In another seat, fellow Congress candidate Subhash Wankhede is facing as many as five namesakes.

Netanyahu Gambles on West Bank Annexation Vow

--With assistance from Stuart Biggs and Ruth Pollard.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Karl Maier at kmaier2@bloomberg.net

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