The Yesha Council was expected to send an emergency delegation of council heads and mayors to the US on Saturday night for a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump.
“The coming days in the United States will determine Israel’s security for years to come,” the council said. “We will be there to ensure that no terror state is established that would threaten all Israeli citizens. Applying sovereignty is the only way to do this. The decision is in the prime minister’s hands.”
The council said the delegation was organized in light of what it described as mounting international pressure on Netanyahu to accept the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The move follows a statement by Trump on Thursday in which he said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
“I will not let Israel annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen,” he said. “I spoke with Bibi, but that’s enough. It’s time to stop.”
Right-wing leadership react to Trump's statement
Trump’s comments drew sharp criticism from parts of Israel’s right-wing leadership.
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan called on Netanyahu to disregard the American position and proceed with applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, which he said was necessary to prevent the creation of what he termed “a terror state in the heart of the country.”
Not all voices within Netanyahu’s orbit shared the same view. Nathan Eshel, a longtime close associate of the prime minister, argued that both the recognition of a Palestinian state and declarations of Israeli sovereignty would have little practical impact.
“Trump is a businessman, and every one of his offers has an expiration date,” Eshel said, adding that the government had missed the opportunity to act during Trump’s time in office.
The Yesha delegation to the United States includes Binyamin Regional Council head and Yesha Council chairman Israel Ganz; Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan; Ariel Mayor Yair Chetboun; Oranit Council head Or Piron Zomer; Har Hebron Council head Eliram Azulay; Karnei Shomron Council head Yonatan Kuznitz; Kedumim Council head Uziel Vatik; Efrat Council head Dovi Shefler; and Yesha Council CEO Omer Rahamim.