Washington, June 23 (RHC)-- Top officials from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump are holding key meetings ahead of the Israeli regime’s upcoming annexation of Palestinian lands.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser Richard O’Brien, Avi Berkowitz, the assistant to the president and Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, are taking part in the meetings in Washington.  U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman also flew Sunday from Jerusalem to join the meetings.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to annex the regime’s illegal settlements in the West Bank as well as the Jordan Valley in a process that will begin on July 1st.  The pro-Israel U.S. president was also said to join the meetings at some point.

After Washington’s potential green light, Netanyahu will put the annexation plan to a vote in Israel.  The annexation has been condemned by the United Nations, the European Union and many other world countries.

Top Democratic lawmakers have also slammed the move, warning that it would further destabilize the region.  

“A sustainable peace deal that ensures the long-term security of Israel and self-determination for Palestinians must be negotiated directly between the two parties,” Democratic Senators Chuck Schumer, Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez said in a joint statement.