Opposition leader proposes Israeli-Jordanian rule over West Bank and Gaza
Avigdor Lieberman suggested dismantling the Palestinian Authority and creating an Israeli-Jordanian confederation to govern the West Bank, while handing Gaza to an unspecified external party.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party, unveiled a proposal to dissolve the Palestinian Authority and replace it with an Israeli-Jordanian confederation in the occupied West Bank. The plan would give Israel full sovereignty over Area C, which comprises about 60 % of the territory and is already under Israeli control, while Jordan would oversee civilian matters and policing in Areas A and B. Israel would continue to hold overall security responsibility throughout the region.
Lieberman also called for the Gaza Strip to be placed under the authority of an unspecified external party. The proposal conflicts with international law, which regards the entire West Bank as Palestinian territory and deems Israeli settlements there illegal.
Why it matters
The plan could reshape control of disputed territories and affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 EU debates ban on settlement products as Israeli forces raze West Bank homes
- Sep 17 A year after the October ceasefire, Israeli evacuation orders and ongoing attacks have kept Palestinians in Gaza displaced, with thousands killed, wounded and facing severe food insecurity.
- Sep 18 The UN rights office issued a warning that the displacement of over 33,000 refugees from West Bank camps may amount to crimes against humanity.
- Sep 23 A man in his forties was seriously wounded when a vehicle rammed a police car at a checkpoint near Modi'in on the road to the West Bank.
- Sep 23 Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Joint List from the upcoming Knesset election, prompting the alliance to label the move racist and vow a Supreme Court appeal.
- Sep 23 The checkpoint’s security personnel have been reinforced and an investigation launched.
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Sep 28 A six‑storey apartment block collapsed, killing 21 people and prompting a lengthy rescue effort.
- Sep 28 Ed Miliband told the Labour conference that the UK will act on Palestine, backing sanctions on Israeli settlements and supporting a two-state solution.
- Sep 29 Three teenagers were arrested in connection with the raid.
- Oct 2 The Central Elections Committee voted 18-5 to bar the United Arab List and the Joint List from the ballot.
- Oct 2 Balad leader Sami Abu Shehadeh withdrew his candidacy following the court's indication it may approve a disqualification petition.
- Oct 3 Miliband pledged comprehensive sanctions and a ban on imports and services that support Israeli settlements.
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