Israeli Parties Divided on Future of West Bank Areas A and B
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
An Israeli forum has asked party leaders for their plans regarding West Bank Areas A and B, advocating for the cancellation of the Oslo Accords' territorial divisions. While Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit support expanding settlements into these areas, 'Am Israel' party avoided a direct answer. Yisrael Beiteinu proposed Jordanian management of Areas A and B, while the Democrats party opposes any Israeli presence and seeks to evacuate existing farms.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- An Israeli forum is seeking party leaders' plans for West Bank Areas A and B, advocating for the end of Oslo Accords divisions.
- Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit support expanding Israeli settlements into Areas A and B for security.
- The 'Am Israel' party, led by Ofer Winter, avoided direct answers on its plans for Areas A and B.
- Yisrael Beiteinu proposed Jordan manage security and administration in Areas A and B.
- The Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, opposes Israeli presence in Areas A and B and seeks to evacuate farms.
- Likud, Yachad, Yesh, Shas, and United Torah Judaism did not provide clear responses.
The 'Shavu Home' forum, led by Eliab Levi and Yehoshua Sherman, has sent a letter to Israeli party leaders seeking their vision for the future of Areas A, B, and C in the West Bank. The forum advocates for abandoning the Oslo Accords' division of territories and returning to open areas.
Several parties, including Likud, Yachad, Yesh, Shas, and United Torah Judaism, did not provide a clear response to the forum's questions. The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich, expressed support for the forum's stance, aiming to cancel the Oslo Accords and allow Israeli settlement in all open areas, which Smotrich believes is crucial for security. Otzma Yehudit, headed by Itamar Ben-Gvir, echoed this sentiment, stating that Areas A and B should be treated the same as Area C, with a commitment to expanding Israeli settlement for security purposes.
In contrast, the 'Am Israel' party, led by Ofer Winter, avoided a direct answer regarding Areas A and B, despite its right-wing positions. The party's responses focused on security measures, counter-terrorism efforts, and strengthening Israeli control in Area C, but did not commit to canceling the Oslo Accords or outline a plan for Areas A and B.
Yisrael Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, proposed a plan where Jordan would manage security and administration in Areas A and B, with Israel and Jordan in a form of joint management. The Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, expressed a complete opposition to returning to open areas and even stated an intention to evacuate existing legal agricultural farms in Area C, which he considers illegal outposts.
The forum hopes that the parties' responses will indicate which factions intend to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and a future October 7th-style attack, and which have different plans or are evading substantive answers.
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