Defense Minister Katz Slams Lieberman's West Bank Control Proposal

Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday sharply criticized Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, over Lieberman's proposal to allow Jordan administrative and security control over Areas A and B in the West Bank. Katz asserted that the "right-wing government is crushing terrorism and strengthening settlement in Judea and Samaria, while the left bloc plans to retreat and destroy settlements."

Katz accused Lieberman and Yair Golan, Golan being the designated defense minister in a potential rotation government, of revealing "dangerous intentions, as if they learned nothing from October 7th." He recalled Lieberman's previous calls for a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and handing the Philadelphi Corridor to Egypt, and now his proposal for a Jordanian army presence in Qalqilya, near Highway 6, and Jordanian control over Areas A and B. Katz stated that Jordan's declared policy is the establishment of a Palestinian state.

He further criticized Golan, who has stated his intention to evacuate 100,000 Jewish settlers from their homes upon entering office. Katz characterized these proposals as a "dangerous policy" leading to the "uprooting of Jews from their homes, retreat, and entrusting our security to others on the way to establishing a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the country."

Katz countered these criticisms by highlighting the current government's actions, claiming they evacuated 40,000 residents from refugee camps in the northern West Bank, dismantled Iranian terror infrastructure, and now maintain constant IDF control. He stated that terrorism in Judea and Samaria has decreased by 80% to its lowest level ever, and that 104 new settlements and 160 new outposts have been established. Katz warned that a "left-wing government, dependent on Arab parties and promoting these plans, will endanger settlement and the security of Israeli citizens."