Bennett: Dismantle West Bank security barrier to achieve peace with Palestinians

In 'Wall Street Journal' op-ed, Economy Minister proposes two-pronged "Stability Plan," which includes Israeli annexation of Area C.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett (photo credit: REUTERS)
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett
(photo credit: REUTERS)
In response to the Fatah-Hamas unity deal that was being finalized this week in Doha, Economy Minister Naftali Bennett reiterated his own plan to bring peace to the region, with a more detailed explanation, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday.
Bennett's proposed "Stability Plan" called for Palestinian sovereignty in Areas A and B of the West Bank, saying "Israel should not interfere in day-to-day governance."
In order to achieve this, he wrote: "Israel must allow Palestinians complete freedom of movement" meaning "Israel should dismantle the security barrier" separating the West Bank from Israel proper.
Bennett noted that there has been a dramatic drop in terror over the past decade, and claimed that Israel can stay "reasonably secure without it."
He added that promoting Palestinian economic development in those areas of the West Bank was of the utmost importance, detailing Israeli efforts to help encourage international investment in the Palestinian economy with insurance guarantees and tax breaks.
The other part of the plan was to annex Area C, a move Bennett has called for in the past. Palestinians living in this majority Israeli area would be offered full Israeli citizenship, he said.
"Annexing Area C would limit conflict by reducing the size of the territory in dispute, which would make it easier to one day reach a long-term peace agreement," Bennett wrote.
The annexation of Area C would mean Israeli control of east Jerusalem, which Abbas has promised to the Palestinians as the capital of a future Palestinian state, as well as religious sites revered by both Muslims and Jews, such as the burial place of Abraham at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.