Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Israel Beytenu party, has proposed a new plan for dealing with the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The plan involves dismantling the Palestinian Authority and canceling the Oslo Accords. Lieberman suggests a new formula for Israeli-Jordanian cooperation to manage Palestinian areas in the West Bank. He made the announcement through a post on the social media platform X.
Lieberman warned that not determining the "endgame" in Gaza and the West Bank would lead to a "catastrophe". He emphasized the need to prevent the rebuilding of Gaza before Hamas is disarmed. Lieberman presented four options for Israel's future actions in the region. These options include imposing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip, returning to the 1967 borders and establishing a Palestinian state, continuing the current policy of containment, or implementing his proposed plan.
Lieberman's plan involves treating the West Bank and Gaza Strip as separate entities. He suggests that a third-party, acceptable to both Arabs and the international community, should manage each area. For Gaza, Lieberman believes that Hamas must be defeated, both militarily and politically, before control can be transferred to an external authority. In the West Bank, Lieberman proposes maintaining the current division into Areas A, B, and C, with adjustments to administrative arrangements.
Under Lieberman's plan, Israel would retain security responsibility in the West Bank, while another entity would manage civilian affairs for the Palestinian population. The proposal includes establishing an Israeli-Jordanian confederation in Areas A and B, with Jordan responsible for maintaining law and order through a police force. Lieberman argues that his plan is necessary to prevent a power vacuum that could be exploited by Hamas or the Islamic Jihad.
Lieberman's proposal also aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would gain international recognition. He emphasizes that his plan is based on his extensive experience in the region and consultations with relevant parties. Lieberman believes that his plan is feasible and can be implemented. The proposal has sparked interest in Israel, where there is ongoing debate about the future of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The Israeli government has been discussing the future of the Palestinian Authority and the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. There are divisions within Israel regarding the role of the Palestinian Authority and the potential for a Palestinian state. Lieberman's plan has also raised questions about the role of Jordan in any future arrangements. The Israeli-Jordanian border is over 300 kilometers long, and security cooperation between the two countries is seen as essential.
The reaction to Lieberman's plan from other Israeli politicians and Palestinian leaders remains to be seen. The plan is likely to be debated in the Israeli media and in political circles. It is unclear whether Lieberman's proposal will gain traction or influence the Israeli government's policy on the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Key points
- Avigdor Lieberman proposes dismantling the Palestinian Authority and canceling the Oslo Accords.
- Lieberman's plan involves Israeli-Jordanian cooperation to manage Palestinian areas in the West Bank.
- The proposal aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state that would gain international recognition.
