Liberman Proposes Transferring West Bank Authority to Jordan, Sparking Outrage

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, has ignited a political firestorm with a proposal to transfer security and administrative responsibility for parts of the West Bank to Jordan. Speaking on the "B'Sheva" podcast on Wednesday, Liberman argued that the Palestinian Authority has "gone bankrupt" and a new entity is needed to manage the territory.

"You have to reach an understanding with the Jordanians," Liberman stated, suggesting they manage Areas B and C, taking on security and administrative duties. He elaborated that he was unsure if Jordan would deploy its own army or establish units under Jordanian command in the West Bank.

The proposal drew sharp criticism from government ministers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused Liberman of proposing to relinquish Israeli security responsibility in the West Bank and hand it over to the Jordanians, likening it to a return to the days of the Jordanian Legion. "We must not let this happen," Smotrich declared.

Minister Amichai Chikli also condemned the idea, calling it a "delusion from the land of delusions." He warned that introducing the Jordanian army into the West Bank would be dangerous, noting Jordan's majority Palestinian population and the potential for a shift in Amman's regime. Chikli compared the proposal to introducing another Palestinian element into the West Bank and recalled the negative consequences of the Oslo Accords and the Gaza disengagement, as he sees them.

Chikli further described the Jordanian government as "very weak, a broken reed" and raised the possibility of a future Islamist and nationalist government in Jordan. He suggested that regional developments involving Turkey and the new Syrian regime could also impact Jordan's future. Chikli concluded by stating, "This man must not come near a security role."