Liberman Sparks Outrage With Proposal for Jordanian Control in West Bank

Avigdor Liberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, ignited a major controversy on Wednesday with remarks suggesting Jordan should assume administrative and security control over parts of the West Bank. Speaking on the "Beshva" podcast, Liberman proposed that Jordan manage "Areas B and C," stating that "you must reach an understanding with the Jordanians that they will manage Areas B and C. They will take security and administrative responsibility. There is no vacuum."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately condemned the proposal, tweeting, "I never believed you would suggest today that the Jordanian army control areas of the Land of Israel. Retract immediately." Liberman responded by referencing Netanyahu's 2009 Bar Ilan speech, in which he expressed willingness to establish a Palestinian state, and reiterated his view that the Palestinian Authority is a terrorist organization.

Following the backlash, Liberman's party issued a clarification, stating that he mistakenly said "Areas B and C" when he meant "Areas A and B." Liberman himself further clarified that his intention was for Jordan to manage Areas A and B, not Area C, which he believes Israel must maintain complete control over. He explained that Israel should not be responsible for the daily lives of Palestinians in cities like Nablus, Jenin, or Tulkarm, and to prevent a vacuum that could be filled by Hamas or other militant groups, an agreement with Jordan for the management of Areas A and B is necessary, potentially through an Israeli-Jordanian confederation.