Israel Gantz Calls to Annex West Bank Open Areas, Abandon Oslo Accords
Israel Gantz, head of the Benjamin Regional Council and the Yesha Council, on a tour with bereaved families from the "Home to Us" forum, called for the application of Israeli sovereignty over all open areas in Judea and Samaria. The tour, focused on the forum's "100 Points" plan to secure open territories through establishing farms and understanding strategic locations, took place amidst a surge in settlement activity promoted by the Benjamin Council.
During the visit, Gantz highlighted ongoing settlement efforts and presented the forum's proposal for full Israeli control in the open areas of Judea and Samaria without the presence of a single Palestinian civilian. Gantz stated that the Israeli government has led a "historic revolution" in settlement activity, moving beyond old concepts and implementing decisions for new settlements and strengthening control over open areas, recognizing settlement as integral to Israel's security.
"The Oslo Accords were born as a temporary arrangement, but thirty years later the division they created still dictates the reality on the ground. It's time to break free from this concept," Gantz declared. He emphasized the need for a clear state decision and responsibility for the region, advocating for the cancellation of the division into Areas A, B, and C, and the application of Israeli sovereignty over all open areas in Judea and Samaria. He argued that control over these areas is crucial for the security of central Israel, including Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv, and that the lessons of the October 7th attacks necessitate taking control of these critical zones.
Bereaved parents Eliab Libi and Yehoshua Sherman, members of the "Home to Us" forum, expressed their refusal to leave the future in the hands of failed security concepts, noting that areas without Israeli presence breed terrorism. They view Gantz and settlement leadership as natural partners in this struggle and expect them to work together to ensure political parties address these issues before elections. Sherman described the Oslo lines as "bleeding lines" and stressed that securing these open spaces is a simple and accessible solution to prevent future terror threats to central Israel, urging party leaders and regional heads to abandon the old concept and return "home."
