Ben-Gvir says all the West Bank belongs to Israel and threatens Palestinian Authority
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would seek to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and promote the displacement of Palestinians if appointed defence minister. His remarks challenge the Oslo framework governing the occupied West Bank and come as Israel campaigns for its 27 October Knesset election.
Bottom line — Ben-Gvir’s proposed policies would challenge the Oslo framework and threaten the Palestinian Authority’s continued existence.
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Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, Area A is under full Palestinian control, Area B has Palestinian civilian and Israeli security control, and Area C is under full Israeli control, Anadolu Ajansı reports.
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Area C accounts for around 60% of the West Bank, according to Anadolu Ajansı.
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Ben-Gvir told Israel’s Channel 14 that there was no difference between Areas A, B and C, and that the entire land belonged to Israel.
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Ben-Gvir claimed 60% of Palestinians want to emigrate; Anadolu Ajansı notes that reports contradict this claim.
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He said he would remove restrictions on soldiers’ use of force and argued that allowing them to shoot more would reduce the manpower needed, Anadolu Ajansı reports.
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Ben-Gvir accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not wanting Palestinian displacement enough, according to Anadolu Ajansı.
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The comments came during campaigning for Israel’s 27 October Knesset election, with polls indicating declining support for the governing coalition and gains for the opposition, Anadolu Ajansı reports.