Lieberman Proposes Plan to Dismantle Palestinian Authority, Form Jordan Confederation

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has unveiled a political plan addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The proposal centers on dismantling the Palestinian Authority, abrogating the Oslo Accords, and establishing an Israeli-Jordanian confederation in Areas A and B of the West Bank. Lieberman stated that this move aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, which he predicts the U.S. will recognize within approximately two and a half years. Under his plan, Israel would maintain territorial contiguity and security responsibility throughout the West Bank, while Jordan would be responsible for public order through a police force and manage the daily lives of Palestinians. Lieberman described his proposal as an "upgraded London Agreement," referencing a 1987 accord between Israel and Jordan for joint administration of the West Bank that was ultimately thwarted.

Regarding the Gaza Strip, Lieberman's plan calls for the complete elimination of Hamas by the IDF, including its military and civilian wings. Control of Gaza would then be transferred to an external entity acceptable to the Arab world and the international community. Lieberman sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to approve Palestinian parliamentary elections on November 28, calling it a move that "gives Hamas the West Bank on a silver platter." He recalled Hamas's victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections and its subsequent takeover of Gaza, warning that similar events could have occurred in the West Bank without IDF intervention. He characterized the elections as "a step towards a total confrontation" with Israel and lamented the lack of attention to this issue from various Israeli security and intelligence bodies.

Lieberman also criticized Netanyahu's "policy of containment," labeling it as "acceptance of the enemy's buildup, weakness in the use of force, and lack of initiative." He attributed the October 7th Hamas attack to this policy and stated that the current government continues it. He further argued that rebuilding Gaza before Hamas is disarmed, as is currently happening in Rafah, returns Israel to the pre-attack situation.

Lieberman dedicated a significant portion of his remarks to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, whom he called a "chronic Holocaust denier" who refused to condemn the October 7th massacre. He claimed Abbas has increased the PA's security forces to around 60,000, far exceeding the 12,000 permitted under the Oslo Accords, and alleged that the PA transfers approximately half a billion shekels monthly to the families of terrorists.

Lieberman outlined four potential scenarios: sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip (which he believes would create a bi-national state), a return to the 1967 lines and a Palestinian state, Netanyahu's continuation of the containment policy until the U.S. imposes a Palestinian state, and his own proposal for dismantling the PA and forming a confederation with Jordan. He expressed concern that once President Trump leaves office, the U.S. will recognize a Palestinian state and support its UN membership, citing declining American public support for Israel, partly due to the actions of settlers he called "a group of lunatics."