Defense Minister Katz Slams Lieberman, Golan Over West Bank Security Proposals

Defense Minister Israel Katz launched a sharp attack on former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and MK Yair Golan on Sunday, criticizing their recent statements regarding the future of the West Bank. Katz specifically targeted Lieberman's proposal to transfer security and administrative responsibility for Areas A and B to Jordan, and Golan's remarks about evacuating settlers.

Katz described Lieberman's idea of reaching understandings with Jordan on managing Areas A and B as a dangerous handover of security control. He warned of the potential presence of Jordanian forces near the city of Qalqilya and Highway 6, expressing concern over such a deployment. Lieberman had previously stated he was unsure if such an arrangement would involve the entry of the Jordanian army or the establishment of Jordanian-commanded battalions.

The Defense Minister also criticized Yair Golan, chairman of the Meretz party, alleging that Golan intends to evacuate 100,000 settlers from their homes if appointed Defense Minister. "These are two proposals that connect to one dangerous policy: uprooting Jews from their homes, retreat, and handing our security over to others," Katz stated.

In contrast, Katz highlighted the current government's actions in the West Bank, claiming that approximately 40,000 residents were evacuated from refugee camps in the northern West Bank, that the IDF now maintains constant control over these camps, and that the scope of terrorism in the area has decreased by 80%. He further asserted that during the current government's tenure, 104 settlements and 160 farms have been established. These figures were presented by Katz without accompanying documentation.

Katz concluded by arguing that a government relying on Arab parties and advancing the proposals of Lieberman and Golan would endanger both settlement activity and the security of Israeli citizens.