July 1 is a deadline with the potential to reshape Israel, Palestine, and the rest of the Middle East. That’s when Israel may begin plans to annex parts of the Occupied West Bank — as much as 30 percent. Annexation is illegal under international law and much of the world has condemned it. So why might this controversial move happen now?

In this episode:

Rania Zabaneh (@RZabaneh), Al Jazeera journalist in the Occupied West Bank; Gershom Gorenberg (@GershomG), Israeli historian.

For more:

'Everyone scared': How Palestinians are preparing for annexation

UN, Arab League call on Israel to drop annexation plans

Palestine and Israel: Mapping an annexation

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