the citizens of israel, i ask you for a clear mandate to do this. >> the 69-year-old israeli leader has made promises of annexation before, but never like this. pulling out a map, he showed specific areas in the west bank he would make official israeli territory, areas he says are crucial to national security and are held by occupied territory by most of the international community. >> taken place many decades ago. >> netanyahu has staked his future on his close ties to u.s. president donald trump. today's announcement was no different. the israeli prime minister connected his annexation plan directly to trump's soon to be released plan for mideast peace. >> translator: the most important question facing us in this election is who will negotiate with president trump? who will recruit him to our side? >> a trump administration official tells cnn that says there is no change in u.s.