Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to bridge gaps with the United States and his main coalition partner over his pledged annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, the minister of settlement affairs, Tzipi Hotovely, said on Thursday.
Hotovely’s remarks pointed to difficulties Netanyahu could face in implementing the move soon, with a formal cabinet debate on the issue due to begin on July 1.
"There are gaps between the Americans and us on this issue and between us and our senior partner in the unity government, Blue and White," Hotovely told Army Radio, referring to the centrist party headed by Defende Minister Benny Gantz that has called for a broad international dialogue on the matter.
In line with a peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump in January, Netanyahu has said he intends to extend Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank.
Palestinians seek the region, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, for a state of their own.
They have called for international sanctions against Israel, and Arab and European countries have voiced concern over unilateral territorial moves that could jeopardize a two-state solution of a decades-old conflict.
A committee of US and Israeli officials is drawing territorial lines in the West Bank under the Trump proposal.
"There is still no agreed map on this issue. It has to be agreed by parts of the (Israeli) government and by the American side," Hotovely said.
