Netanyahu Slams Lieberman's Proposal for Jordanian Control of Palestinian Areas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fiercely criticized Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, on Wednesday, after Lieberman suggested that Jordan should manage security and administration in Areas A and B of the West Bank. Netanyahu accused Lieberman of being on the political left, citing his past government formations and potential future alliances, but expressed disbelief at his latest proposal.

"Lieberman, I knew you were on the left since you formed a government with Mansour Abbas. I know you are on the left because you would form a government with [Benny] Gantz, [Yair] Golan, [Naftali] Bennett, and the Arab parties," Netanyahu stated. "But I did not believe that you would propose today that the Jordanian army control areas of the Land of Israel. Retract your words immediately!"

Lieberman had earlier stated that "we must reach an understanding with the Jordanians, that they manage Areas A and B and take security and administrative responsibility." When questioned about trusting Jordan to deploy its army within the West Bank, Lieberman responded that Jordan has no choice. He speculated that Jordan might deploy its own army or establish units under Jordanian command, emphasizing that the Palestinian issue is more critical for Jordan than for Israel.