Washington has demanded clarifications from the Israeli government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some of his ministers reneged on the agreements reached at last month’s Aqaba meeting.
Official broadcaster Kan said on Saturday that the US administration requested clarifications after Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich signaled that they would not commit to the pledges made in Aqaba.
Ben-Gvir and Smotrich had described the pledges as meaningless, prompting Washington’s disappointment, especially since it had arranged the summit itself with help from Jordan and Egypt.
A senior security official added that the ministers’ remarks had "embarrassed" Washington.
Washington wants to make sure that Israel is committed to the pledges ahead of a follow-up meeting that will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Palestinian Authority had called on the American administration to "rectify the path" after Israel immediately violated the Aqaba understandings.
The PA warned that it may not take part in the Sharm el-Sheikh talks if the Israeli government is unwilling to respect agreements and is weaking the Authority and continuing its violations in the Palestinian territories.
Israel committed to stop authorization of any settler outposts in the occupied West Bank for six months during a meeting with Palestinian officials in Jordan’s Aqaba. Both sides pledged to prevent more violence.
Host nation Jordan, along with Egypt and the United States, considered "these understandings as major progress towards re-establishing and deepening relations between the two sides."
Israel and the Palestinian Authority "confirmed their joint readiness and commitment to immediately work to end unilateral measures for a period of 3-6 months."
"This includes an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units for four months and to stop authorization of any outposts for six months," read a statement after the talks.
However, Netanyahu this week tweeted that "the building and authorization in Judea and Samaria will continue according to the original planning and building schedule, with no change," using the biblical term for the West Bank.
Echoing the PM’s positions, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich both said there would not be any freezing of settlement construction for even a day and that what happened in Jordan will remain in Jordan.
Washington now wants to learn whether Israel is committed to the Aqaba understandings before meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv grew further after Smotrich's call this week to wipe out the Palestinian town of Huwara.
Earlier this week, Israeli settlers rampaged in Huwara, killing a Palestinian and torching dozens of houses, shops and cars. The actions prompted international alarm and condemnation.
Washington strongly condemned Smotrich's remarks and asked Netanyahu for an apology.
Israeli media noted that the tensions have spiked at a very sensitive time when the US and Israel are gearing up to hold strategic dialogue in Washington next week with the aim to discuss Iran.
