BICOM

According to a report in today’s Haaretz newspaper, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently considering a significant withdrawal and redeployment of Israeli forces on the West Bank. According to the newspaper, Netanyahu is considering this move in light of the diplomatic problems that Israel may expect if the United Nations votes to recognise a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders at the UN General Assembly in September. The extent of the possible withdrawal is not clear, but Netanyahu is reported to remain opposed to the evacuation of settlements. The prime minister commented on this matter during a meeting with European Union envoys yesterday. According to Haaretz, the proposed withdrawal would see the entirety of Area B in the West Bank handed over to full Palestinian Authority control. At the moment, the Palestinians exercise civil control in this area, while Israel is responsible for security. The proposal would also see some parts of Area C, in which Israel currently has full control, handed over to the PA.

It is important to stress that the media reports on this matter do not reflect a formal policy announcement by the government of Israel. Rather, the proposal appears to be one of a range of possible moves that the government may undertake to offset the diplomatic pressure that it may face following the international recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders at the UN General Assembly in September. Netanyahu’s clear preference would be for a return to negotiations, but there appears little chance of that at present, with both sides unable to agree on the basis of renewed talks. In such a situation, the possibility of a return to unilateral Israeli redeployments logically presents itself. This option had largely disappeared from Israeli public debate following the perceived failure of the disengagement from Gaza. However, it now seems it may be set to make a reappearance.