Avigdor Liberman drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after suggesting Jordan could take on an administrative and security role in parts of the West Bank. Liberman later clarified he meant Jordan would administer Areas A and B while Israel retain full control of Area C, calling the idea an "Israeli-Jordanian confederation." The proposal echoes earlier plans he outlined in 2024 and in a January 2025 interview and has reignited debate about security, sovereignty and third-party roles in the West Bank.
Netanyahu, Katz and Smotrich Rebuke Liberman Over Proposal for Israeli‑Jordanian Confederation in West Bank
Avigdor Liberman leads Yisrael Beytenu, it is polling at around 10 seats. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday publicly criticized Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman after the former defence minister suggested that Jordan take an administrative and security role in parts of the West Bank.
Political Backlash
Liberman told the outlet BeSheva that Jordan should assume security control in Areas B and C of the West Bank, a position he has voiced before. His comments prompted immediate condemnation from senior ministers, who warned the idea would amount to ceding Israeli security responsibilities in Judea and Samaria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Liberman, I knew you were on the Left ever since you formed a government with Mansour Abbas... I never believed that today you would propose that the Jordanian army control parts of the Land of Israel. Retract it immediately!"
Defence Minister Israel Katz: "Liberman, who sees himself as a candidate for a rotating premiership, suggested until recently that Israel unilaterally withdraw from Gaza and hand the Philadelphi Corridor to Egypt. Now he proposes stationing a Jordanian army near Qalqilya and handing Jordan security and administrative control over Areas A and B in Judea and Samaria."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: "Someone who presents himself as a man of the Right is proposing that we give up our security responsibility in Judea and Samaria and transfer it to the Jordanians. We must not allow that to happen."
Liberman's Clarification
Minutes after the criticism, Liberman clarified his remarks, saying his proposal concerned Jordanian administration of Areas A and B while Israel would retain control over Area C. He framed the idea as an "Israeli-Jordanian confederation," arguing Israel must "create territorial continuity between all of Area C and maintain absolute control there" while finding an alternative for administration and security in Areas A and B.
Map of West Bank. (credit: COURTESY UN)
Background
This is not Liberman's first time raising the prospect of a Jordanian role in the West Bank. In a January 23, 2025 interview with Ynet, he proposed Jordan administer Areas A and B while Israel administer Area C. In 2024 he outlined a related plan in which Jordan would assume responsibility for Area A and Egypt would assume responsibility for Gaza, arguing that the Oslo framework had failed and that new long-term arrangements should be explored.
Implications
Supporters of third-party administrative roles say they could reduce friction on the ground and preserve Israeli security control where it matters most; opponents counter that bringing in Jordanian forces or administration risks eroding Israel's claims and complicating bilateral and regional relations. The episode underscores deep domestic divisions over how to manage the West Bank and who should hold security responsibility.
Map of West Bank. (credit: COURTESY UN)
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