The United States said on Monday that it was ready to recognize Israel's annexation of parts of the West Bank but asked the new unity government to also negotiate with the Palestinians.
"As we have made consistently clear, we are prepared to recognize Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as being part of the State of Israel," a State Department spokesperson told The Times of Israel when asked if the US would allow Israel's new government to move forward with the process.
The step would be "in the context of the Government of Israel agreeing to negotiate with the Palestinians along the lines set forth in President Trump's Vision."
"The annexation would be in the context of an offer to the Palestinians to achieve statehood based upon specific terms, conditions, territorial dimensions and generous economic support. This is an unprecedented and highly beneficial opportunity for the Palestinians," the spokesperson added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has reached a power-sharing deal to remain in office after three inconclusive elections, has vowed to press ahead with annexations that the Palestinians say will shut the door to a two-state solution.
A Middle East "vision" unveiled in January by US President Donald Trump gave a green light to annexations especially in the Jordan valley area, but Netanyahu's coalition deal with centrist Benny Gantz said the cabinet would consult Washington before moving forward.
The Palestinians have refused to negotiate with the Trump administration, considering it biased. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas threatened on Wednesday to cancel all agreements with Israel and the US if Israel moved forward with annexation plans.
On Sunday, Netanyahu had said he was "confident" that the US President would let him fulfill his election promise to apply Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank "a couple of months from now."
The Arab League is meanwhile planning to hold an urgent virtual meeting this week to galvze opposition to the annexation plan, while Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has reportedly approached counterparts in a number of countries including Russia, Germany, Egypt, Japan, Sweden and Norway to oppose the outline.
( With inputs from ANI )