Israel’s right-wing has been euphoric since the election of President Donald Trump, confident the new administration will be a friendlier one towards Israel than its predecessor, as well as regarding renewed construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron. There have been calls to annex Maale Adumim and all of Yehuda and Shomron. Bayit Yehudi party leader Naftali Bennett calls for widespread renewed construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron and the end of the so-called ‘two-state solution’.

In fact, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was received respectfully and warmly when he arrived at the White House on Wednesday, unlike the cold shoulder diplomacy exhibited by President Barak Obama. During Mr. Netanyahu’s later visit to the White House, the former president made certain that his disdain for many was visible to all.

However, on Tuesday, a day before the grand White House meeting, CIA Director Mike Pompeo met in Ramallah with PA (Palestinian Authority) Chairman Abu Mazen, PA sources report. Also present for the meeting was PA Chief of Intelligence Majid Faraj. In fact, it is reported the meeting was to have been secret but the PA apparently decided to leak it before the White House meeting via its Mann news agency.

Pompeo heard PA concerns of Israeli dialogue of annexing Yehuda, Shomron and continue construction as well as the PA’s major concern, America’s announced intentions to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that would have resounding diplomatic impact.

According to the Mann report, Abu Mazen explained moving the embassy would all but doom any chance of a peace agreement with Israel and implementing the two-state solution, as well as resulting in regional instability.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)