Top Palestinian Minister: Netanyahu Will Face ‘Real Problem’ if He Annexes West Bank

The Palestinian foreign minister said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face a "real problem" if he follows through with his election campaign promise to expand Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.

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Riad Malki told The Associated Press Sunday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Jordan that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge was likely aimed at rallying his nationalist base in the final stretch of a tight race.

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He added that Palestinians would resist such a policy if carried out.

Netanyahu has promoted Jewish settlement expansion in his four terms as prime minister, but until now refrained from presenting a detailed vision for the West Bank, viewed by Palestinians as the heartland of a future state.

It would mark a dramatic shift for Netanyahu, ahead of Tuesday’s balloting.