Israeli soldiers carry the coffin of Israeli army Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal during his funeral in Beer Yaakov, Israel, Tuesday, May 12.
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READ MORE: A Palestinian rock-thrower killed an Israeli soldier Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, and police wounded a Palestinian who tried to stab security staff at a checkpoint, Israeli authorities said.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to swear in a new coalition government whose agenda includes a possible declaration of sovereignty over Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley in the West Bank — a de facto annexation.
The Palestinians want the West Bank for a future state and deem Israeli settlements there illegal, as do most world powers. Israel and the United States dispute that view.
Israel's proposed territorial steps in the West Bank are expected to be discussed during a one-day visit on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who met Netanyahu, as well as the premier's designated coalition partner, Benny Gantz.
President Donald Trump unveiled a new peace plan in January, but his administration has been boycotted by the Palestinians, who see bias in moves such as his 2017 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. (Reuters)
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LINK: https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/m...
