Lieberman Proposes Dismantling Palestinian Authority, Jordanian Confederation in West Bank

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, has unveiled a political plan for the West Bank and Gaza Strip that centers on dismantling the Palestinian Authority and abrogating the Oslo Accords. Under his proposal, a "Israeli-Jordanian confederation" would be established in Areas A and B of the West Bank, with Jordan responsible for public order and daily Palestinian life, while Israel would maintain overall security control.

Lieberman stated that the 33 years since the Oslo Accords have proven the agreement a failure, asserting that Israel's ultimate goal must be the dissolution of the PA and the cancellation of the accords. His plan separates the futures of the West Bank and Gaza. For Gaza, he calls for the complete elimination of Hamas by the IDF, followed by the transfer of control to an external entity for management. In the West Bank, Israel would preserve territorial contiguity and security responsibility, with the proposed confederation managing Palestinian affairs.

Lieberman argues this plan would prevent power vacuums exploited by Hamas or Islamic Jihad and avert the international recognition of a Palestinian state. He noted the continued stable security coordination between Israel and Jordan despite political tensions. The proposal is based on an updated version of the 1987 "London Agreement," which he claims envisioned joint Israeli-Jordanian management of West Bank affairs, an agreement he believes was torpedoed in favor of the Oslo Accords.

He criticized the planned Palestinian parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 28, calling them a gift to Hamas and recalling Hamas's victory in 2006 and subsequent takeover of Gaza. Lieberman advocates for dismantling the PA and annexing Area C instead. He warned that Israel's window for action is closing, especially while Donald Trump is U.S. President, ensuring an American veto on a Palestinian state at the UN Security Council. He fears a new U.S. president could recognize a Palestinian state and push for its UN membership.

Lieberman also criticized what he termed "Hilltop Youth" as a "handful of rioters" whose actions harm settlement efforts and keep the Palestinian issue in international focus. He warned of a potential Hamas-controlled Palestinian state encompassing the West Bank, Jordan Valley, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. He further accused Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen of refusing to condemn the October 7th massacre, inciting against Israel, and transferring significant funds to the families of terrorists.

Lieberman also claimed the Oslo Accords permit the PA to maintain 12,000 armed security personnel in the West Bank, but their actual numbers have grown to around 60,000. He presented his plan as practical, based on years of experience and discussions with relevant parties, and expressed confidence in its implementability, releasing it about a month before Palestinian elections.