Bennett Under Pressure from Washington to Make Concessions to Palestinians

By Zalman Ahnsaf

YERUSHALAYIM — The Biden administration has asked Israel to allow Palestinian Authority officials to share in running the Israeli side of the Allenby crossing with Jordan, but it did not appear likely that Israel would accede to the request, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was reportedly reviewing that, among numerous other requests from Washington, which is pursuing its policy of improving relations with the Palestinians.

A government source said on Thursday that relevant ministries are set to discuss a number of proposals, including the one concerning Allenby; but Bennett has instructed that the status quo at the crossing should remain as is, according to the Post.

A U.S. diplomatic source was quoted as saying that “about 1,000 ideas” were brought to Bennett’s office, and the Allenby crossing is one of them, but none have made any headway yet.

The source cited the instability of Bennett’s government as well as public criticism of any proposals that have leaked – such as waiting until after President Joe Biden’s visit in mid-July to demolish the home of the terrorist who killed three people Hy”d in Tel Aviv in April – as obstacles.