Hadeel Al-Shalchi

Smolchich rarely gives interviews to U.S. Western media. This month, he gave his first press conference since his trip to the U.S., and I posed a question to him. I have two questions. Do you know anything about plans for the annexation of the West Bank? Smolchich objects to the word annexation.

Smolchich rarely gives interviews to U.S. Western media. This month, he gave his first press conference since his trip to the U.S., and I posed a question to him. I have two questions. Do you know anything about plans for the annexation of the West Bank? Smolchich objects to the word annexation.

Smolchich rarely gives interviews to U.S. Western media. This month, he gave his first press conference since his trip to the U.S., and I posed a question to him. I have two questions. Do you know anything about plans for the annexation of the West Bank? Smolchich objects to the word annexation.

Annexation implies taking something that isn't yours, the minister says. Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the West Bank, belongs to us. Trump told reporters his administration would announce its position on West Bank annexation by early March. That date has passed.

Annexation implies taking something that isn't yours, the minister says. Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the West Bank, belongs to us. Trump told reporters his administration would announce its position on West Bank annexation by early March. That date has passed.

Annexation implies taking something that isn't yours, the minister says. Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the West Bank, belongs to us. Trump told reporters his administration would announce its position on West Bank annexation by early March. That date has passed.

I reply, Is Trump the man who will make it happen for you? Will he support you to make it happen? We believe this is the right thing to do, he says. We're engaged in discussions and dialogue. So while Smotrich firmly believes he has God's mandate to take over the West Bank, the question is whether he also has Trump's blessing.

I reply, Is Trump the man who will make it happen for you? Will he support you to make it happen? We believe this is the right thing to do, he says. We're engaged in discussions and dialogue. So while Smotrich firmly believes he has God's mandate to take over the West Bank, the question is whether he also has Trump's blessing.

I reply, Is Trump the man who will make it happen for you? Will he support you to make it happen? We believe this is the right thing to do, he says. We're engaged in discussions and dialogue. So while Smotrich firmly believes he has God's mandate to take over the West Bank, the question is whether he also has Trump's blessing.

The U.S. State Department says the diplomatic delegation discussed, quote, transition principles with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which makes up the interim Syrian government. It said they also discussed the importance of fighting against ISIS. HTS has roots in al-Qaeda and some factions that made up the rebel forces which toppled former President Bashar al-Assad had ties to ISIS.

The U.S. State Department says the diplomatic delegation discussed, quote, transition principles with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which makes up the interim Syrian government. It said they also discussed the importance of fighting against ISIS. HTS has roots in al-Qaeda and some factions that made up the rebel forces which toppled former President Bashar al-Assad had ties to ISIS.

HTS is a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. No additional information was given on what it would take for the U.S. to drop that designation. The State Department also said the delegation sought more information about the whereabouts of missing American journalist Austin Tice. Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Damascus.

HTS is a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. No additional information was given on what it would take for the U.S. to drop that designation. The State Department also said the delegation sought more information about the whereabouts of missing American journalist Austin Tice. Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Damascus.