Netanyahu with Jordan Valley sovereignty map
Netanyahu with Jordan Valley sovereignty mapFlash 90

The July 1 date for the government to begin the application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria is approaching. However, the Justice Ministry has not yet been instructed to prepare for the move, ministry officials told Walla! News.

According to the report, ministry employees have not even been instructed to begin preparing the legal infrastructure for the move. This, though, will have far-reaching legal implications for Israel, both internally and internationally.

Earlier this week, Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz instructed IDF Chief of Staff Major General Aviv Kochavi to accelerate IDF preparations for diplomatic measures underway in Judea and Samaria.

Gantz also updated the Chief of Staff about progress in the political arena.

However, no similar instructions were given to the Justice Ministry by Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn (Blue and White) or the government.

"As long as there is no decision as to what exactly they intend to do, then it is difficult to prepare the entire legal infrastructure in advance. But at least on the international implications and agreements, things must be examined beforehand," a former Justice Ministry official told Walla! News.

He compared the current situation to the Justice Ministry's preparations for the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza. "With the Disengagement, even before the government's decision on the move was made, the Justice Ministry had discussions at the principle level, and of course the legal entities were also involved in drafting the government's decisions themselves."

"There are several factors that need to be prepared for such a move, starting with how Israeli law is applied at all - is it in the order, which is something they have not used since 1967, or in the law as they did on the Golan Heights," he said.

The official further noted that the Justice Ministry needed to determine the status of people in territories where Israel will not apply its sovereignty and to prepare for diplomatic repercussions, including effects on Israel's agreements with the EU and and the peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, In addition, Israeli officials traveling abroad may face problems.

According to the coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue and White, Netanyahu can bring the agreement reached with the United States on applying sovereignty for approval of the Cabinet, government or Knesset beginning from July 1, subject to "discussion and consultation" with Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

However, details of the plan – including the boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in the area – are being kept a secret from all but a handful of officials directly involved in the process, including Minister Gantz.