Liberman's Jordan Proposal Recalls Past 'Land Swap' Plans

Avigdor Liberman's recent proposal for Jordan to assume security and administrative responsibility for Areas A and B in the West Bank has sparked controversy, but the article argues it is consistent with his long-standing political agenda. This initiative is not a new idea born of election pressures, but rather a reflection of Liberman's consistent approach, which the author labels as fundamentally left-wing despite right-wing rhetoric.

Liberman's past 'Land and Population Exchange' plan, for instance, involved transferring Arab Israeli towns in the Triangle and Wadi Ara regions to Palestinian sovereignty. In return, Israel would retain major settlement blocs in the West Bank. Critics, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have condemned this plan as dangerous and a betrayal of right-wing principles, with Netanyahu urging Liberman to retract his statement immediately.

Netanyahu stated, "A real right-wing person does not suggest giving Judea and Samaria to Jordan. A real right-wing person does not dream of handing over Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah to the Hashemite Kingdom. A real right-wing person understands that Judea and Samaria are the heart of the land, not political real estate to be traded with Abdullah."

The article contends that Liberman's current proposal, like his past plans, is a left-wing policy disguised in right-wing slogans. It suggests that Liberman's political shifts, including past alliances and current alignment with centrist and left-wing parties, demonstrate a consistent pattern of advocating for policies that undermine Israeli sovereignty and national identity, despite his claims to be a staunch right-wing figure.