Bennett: Trump plan gives Israeli citizenship to 250,000 Palestinians

'The map is not good for Israel. It must be corrected.'

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Naftali Bennett (photo credit: REUTERS)
Naftali Bennett
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US President Donald Trump's peace plan would award Israeli citizenship to 250,000 Palestinians living in Area C, Yamina Party head Naftali Bennett warned on Wednesday as he spoke with reporters.
“No one will accept this," said Bennett who is in the opening days of his political life in the opposition.
The Yesha Council is in the midst of an intense battle against the map, which it has argued would impose a de-facto building freeze and destroy at least 15 settlements. On Wednesday Bennett lent this voice to the council’s battle.
Bennett has long opposed the Trump plan because it also allows for the creations of a demilitarized Palestinian state. Bennett has long argued Israel must apply sovereignty to all of Area C, while the Trump plan allows Israel to annex only half of Area C, effectively 30% of the West Bank.
He had in the past said he would support any sovereignty plan that was good for Israel, including the Trump plan. Now that he has understood the Trump map, however, Bennett said he does not believe it is in Israel’s best interest.
“The map is not good for Israel. It must be corrected. For example the map would apply Israeli law to over a quarter of a million Palestinians,” Bennett told reporters on Wednesday.
Right now, there are more than 250,000 Palestinians who would receive citizenship according to the Trump plan, he said. “This is a disaster for Israel. No one will accept this. If the map is good we will support it,” Bennett said.
“We will support sovereignty if it is in Israel’s interests and does not lead to a Palestinian state,” Bennett said.
“We want maximum territory with minimum Palestinians; this [map] a disaster for Israel,” he continued.
Bennett added he has attempted to speak with Israeli officials about the map and would work to pressure Netanyahu to ensure that changes are made.
Yamina’s placement in the opposition, he said, is likely to increase the pressure on Netanyahu to ensure the map is amended so that Netanyahu can prove he is still the leader of the Right.


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