Liberman Revives 'Jordanian Option' for West Bank Control

Avigdor Liberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party and a prominent right-wing opposition figure, has proposed a controversial plan involving Jordanian control over parts of the West Bank. Initially, Liberman suggested Jordanian authority over Areas B and C, which constitute the majority of the West Bank under Israeli security and civilian control. Following backlash, his party clarified he meant Areas A and B, which are under Palestinian civil and security responsibility and Israeli security with Palestinian civil administration, respectively.

Liberman's proposal marks a departure from Prime Minister Netanyahu's approach, which focuses on security arrangements and preventing a Palestinian state. Liberman, who aims for the premiership, argues against Israel managing Palestinian affairs, even calling the Palestinian Authority "terrorist." This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling coalition, with Netanyahu reportedly remarking, "I knew you were a leftist."

The "Jordanian option" concept, which suggests a confederation or union between the West Bank and Jordan as an alternative to an independent Palestinian state, was previously explored in the 1970s and 1980s. However, Jordan officially rejected it in 1988, and the PLO insisted on Palestinian independence. Despite its historical rejection, some Israeli circles reportedly still consider the idea, with one think tank warning in 2025 that it could destabilize Jordan and bring Iranian influence to the Jordan River.

Liberman's proposal is seen as an attempt to present an alternative political vision amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and potential Israeli annexation plans. Analysts suggest his move could be influenced by a reading of U.S. policy shifts favoring political solutions and a desire to position himself as a viable alternative to Netanyahu, potentially appealing to segments of the right-wing electorate.

While the plan is widely expected to be rejected by both Palestinians and Jordanians, and its practical implementation is considered unlikely, Liberman's initiative is significant. It represents a rare discussion of a political solution to the conflict from a right-wing Israeli figure in years and acknowledges the strategic damage of maintaining the current status quo in the West Bank.