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Netanyahu Promises More West Bank Annexations, If He Wins Re-election

Ken Bredemeier

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a last-day nationalist
   campaign pitch, said Monday he would annex all the Jewish settlements
   in the West Bank over the protests of Palestinian leaders, if he wins
   his close re-election bid Tuesday against main challenger Benny Gantz.

   In an 11th-hour media blitz, Netanyahu told Israeli Army Radio, "I
   intend to extend sovereignty on all the settlements and the
   [settlement] blocs," including "sites that have security importance or
   are important to Israel's heritage."

   Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is facing his toughest
   political fight to win a record fifth term to stay in power even as he
   is confronting possible corruption charges. Israel is staging its
   second national vote in less than six months, with Netanyahu unable to
   cobble together a parliamentary majority to form a government after the
   April vote.

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