Israeli PM slams settlers’ attack on Trump plan

ISRAELI prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bitterly criticised Jewish West Bank settler leaders for disparaging President Donald Trump’s plan allowing Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, branding them ungrateful.

Despite what is widely viewed as a pro-Israel peace plan, settler leaders have voiced concern that the maps they have seen leave many settlements as isolated enclaves.

They also reject any recognition of a Palestinian state, as outlined in the US plan, and have pressed Netanyahu to make changes.

On Wednesday, David Elhayani, chairman of the settlers’ umbrella Yesha Council, told the Haaretz daily the plan proved Trump was “not a friend of Israel”.

Netanyahu lashed back: “President Trump is a great friend of Israel’s. He has led historic moves for Israel’s benefit.

“It is regrettable that instead of showing gratitude, there are those who are denying his friendship.”

The speaker of the Israeli parliament, Yariv Levin, called

Elhayani’s remarks “rude and irresponsible”.

Netanyahu has announced he will annex parts of the West Bank, including the strategic Jordan Valley and dozens of Jewish settlements, in line with Trump’s Mideast plan. He has signalled he will begin moving forward with annexation next month.

The US plan envisions leaving about one-third of the West Bank, which Israel captured in 1967, under permanent Israeli control, while granting the Palestinians expanded autonomy in the remainder of the territory.

The Palestinians, who seek all of the West Bank as part of an independent state, have rejected the plan, saying it unfairly favours Israel.