Liberman Responds to Netanyahu Attack, Proposes Jordanian Control of Palestinian Areas

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, responded Wednesday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of his proposal to allow Jordan security and administrative control over Areas A and B in the West Bank. Liberman stated that Netanyahu himself was the one who declared his willingness to establish a Palestinian state in the Bar Ilan speech. Liberman reiterated his stance that the Palestinian Authority is a terror organization, distinct from Hamas, with the PA specializing in political terror and Hamas in armed terror. He asserted that Israel must maintain absolute control and territorial contiguity over all Area C territories.

Liberman further elaborated on his proposal, emphasizing the need for an alternative to Israeli administrative and security control in Areas A and B. He expressed strong opposition to Israel managing Palestinian lives in cities like Nablus, Jenin, or Tulkarm. To prevent a vacuum that could be filled by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other militants, Liberman suggested reaching an agreement with Jordan for them to manage Areas A and B, potentially through an Israeli-Jordanian confederation.

Concluding his remarks, Liberman attacked Netanyahu, questioning his moral authority to lecture others. He pointed to Netanyahu's past actions, including supporting the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katюз, releasing Yahya Sinwar and over a thousand other terrorists, and facilitating Qatari money transfers to Gaza.