Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country has the “full right” to annex the Jordan Valley.
Netanyahu said his proposal to annex the strategic part of the occupied West Bank was discussed during a late-night meeting in Lisbon, Portugal with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Click to Gallery
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country has the “full right” to annex the Jordan Valley.
Netanyahu also said they agreed to move forward with plans for a joint defense treaty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center left, and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa meet at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. At right is Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is greeted by Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, right, as he arrives for their meeting at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)
Netanyahu said he told Pompeo it was Israel’s “full right to do so, if we choose so.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa meet at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
Netanyahu also said they agreed to move forward with plans for a joint defense treaty.
Netanyahu, beleaguered by a corruption indictment and political instability at home, is promoting the two initiatives as a rationale for his staying in office.
The Trump administration has already delivered a number of landmark victories to Netanyahu, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa pose for the cameras before their meeting at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center left, and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa meet at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. At right is Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is greeted by Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, right, as he arrives for their meeting at the Sao Bento palace in Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoArmando Franca)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during their meeting in Lisbon Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. (AP PhotoPatricia De Melo Moreira, Pool)