Sources in the Blue & White party said Defense Minister Benny Gantz told President Donald Trump's adviser during a meeting on Monday the July 1 deadline for official debate on annexation is not set in stone, with coronavirus taking the national priority.
The official discussions on the annexation of parts of the West Bank are set to begin in the Knesset on Wednesday, with some political analysts saying the move could end up being largely symbolic.
"Gantz made it clear in the July meeting is not a holy date for annexation," said the source. “The only holy thing at the moment is getting people back into the workforce and taking care of coronavirus.”
“Before making any political moves, we need to help the public to get back to earning a living with dignity,” Gantz is quoted telling Avi Berkowitz.
The sources added although Trump’s peace plan is a historic opportunity for Israel, it should be implemented “responsibly” and with cooperation of “strategic partners”.
Berkowitz arrived in Israel last week and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.
Officials in Israel said the advisor's visit was initiated following annexation debates in the White House, some of which were attended by Trump himself. During the meeting, it apparently became clear the Trump administration has cooled its support for the move seeing as it might hurt the president's chances of reelection.