In the meantime, over in Israel...

After three elections which failed to establish a government, Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz came to an agreement to share power.

In what I can only call a Frankenstein like arrangement Netanyahu will act as prime minister for 18 months, during which he will face trial on corruption charges. Gantz then takes over in November of 2021 but Netanyahu gets to continue living in the prime minister's official residence.

This arrangement reminds me of the alternating command craziness followed by the Romans that ultimately led to the catastrophe at Cannae.

With the little detail of establishing a coalition out of the way, the Israeli government, assuming that Trump and company will support them, appear to be proceeding with annexation of territory in the West Bank. In particular the Jordan Valley seems to be high on the list.

The reaction to this idea has been less than enthusiastic.

The Palestinian Authority has ended security co-operation with the IDF; Gaza has reportedly severed what ties they had with the Israeli government; Saudi Arabia has condemned the idea; Iran has called for the annihilation of Israel (again) and Jordan has warned that it will "review its ties" with Israeli if annexation moves forward.

I'm sure there will be a resolution condemning Israel in the United Nations which will pass in the General Assembly or Security Council and then be promptly vetoed by the United States.

Short of war, I don't see how anyone can prevent the Israelis from annexing if they decide to do so.

So, what is Netanyahu and company going to do about all those Palestinian residents of the annexed territory that wouldn't vote for him and Likud if you held a gun to their head?

They've decided that these folks will not receive Israeli citizenship. The Palestinian towns and villages in the area will remain “Palestinian enclaves” under Palestinian rule but Israel security control.

So, they don't get to vote in Israeli elections. These guys ever hear of "self determination?" Woodrow Wilson must be spinning in his grave.

This is not a good idea and I suspect it's all the result of Kushner's asinine peace plan. The Israeli government feels confident of US support because Trump. They might want to be careful however because if Trump gets booted out in November I suspect a Democratic administration will take a dim view of unilateral annexation.