Lieberman: Israeli annexation means a showdown with Washington

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman disclosed Monday a notice from the Trump administration that an Israeli declaration of sovereignty in parts of Judea and Samaria would prompt an immediate crisis with Washington. He reported this in a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security committee, in response to demands from parts of the government coalition to take this step. Lieberman’s advice was for the government to stress clearly and unequivocally that it has no intention of taking this step. “I am telling you plainly that the Trump administration has told us in a direct message that annexation would provoke a crisis with the new US administration.”