Recently,
Israeli PM Netanyahu held a press conference to make a statement
about the Trump Administration’s “Deal of the Century.”
Netanyahu said,
We are on the eve of the elections. President Trump said
he will present his Deal of the Century a few days after the election
and it is just around the corner. This presents us with a great
challenge, and a great opportunity to apply Israeli sovereignty to
Judea and Samaria and other areas.
Annexing Judea and Samaria – wait, not so fast…
He announced, that after the elections, he would apply
Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea area.
Nothing really new there, except he’s already back peddling from
what he said earlier.
Earlier he said he would annex all of Judea and
Samaria
Back in April, Netanyahu said during an interview, “I obtained
President Trump’s declaration on the Golan Heights, which says that
it is our territory forever.” He continued,
I persuaded him to recognize Jerusalem. I will not divide
Jerusalem, I will not uproot a single settlement and I will make sure
we control all the territory west of the Jordan. Yes, I’ll apply
sovereignty. I don’t separate the large [settlement] blocs from the
isolated points [settlements in Judea and Samaria].
Later, in an interview with Arutz Sheva, Netanyahu stated,
I prefer to do it with American support. I spoke about it
with the relevant authorities and it takes time to coordinate. I am
not talking about the entire area, but first of all about the
settlements. Not just the blocs, but the blocs and the isolated
settlements, I do not [intend to] abandon them or transfer them to
Palestinian rule, which would destroy them.
Like his more recent announcement about
the Jordan Valley, Netanyahu was only talking about parts of Area
C…
When asked about whether he agreed to the establishment of a
Palestinian state, Netanyahu said,
There will be no Palestinian state, not as people talk
about it. It will not be because I am making sure of it. I am not
uprooting settlements, rather applying sovereignty to them. I am
maintaining a united Jerusalem and I am maintaining our control on
the entire area west of the Jordan River to prevent another Gaza.
Even if he keeps his word, control does
not necessarily mean sovereignty…
Netanyahu said he planned on carrying out the annexation gradually
and with American agreement. “I brought President Trump’s
recognition of Jerusalem, the transfer of the embassy and the
recognition in the Golan Heights, which is very important to what I
plan in Judea and Samaria.”
Netanyahu’s recent change of heart,
supporting elements of sovereignty, is still muddled thinking…
He follows a growing list of Israeli public figures, who have
expressed support for Ribonut (The Sovereignty Movement), that’s
been spearheaded by Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katzover of “Women in
Green.” Yet these pubic figures haven’t provided many details on
exactly how they will carry out annexation, actual policies.
Women in Green have a plan for Judea and Samaria
– or have they?
Women in Green has promoted a plan called Tama 100, but it fails
to discuss economic incentives to Arab emigration from Judea and
Samaria, or reform of the Arab educational system, a
“De-Palistinazification Program” for example. Nor does it discuss
a path toward full integration of those Arabs left in Judea and
Samaria, into the State of Israel. In fact, in their March issue of
“Sovereignty: A Political Journal,” it says clearly about the
Tama 100 plan, “Arab settlement blocs remain outside this track –
there is no change in the status of the Arabs.”
This is a sure prescription for accusations of Apartheid,
and for failure.
Taking a demographic chance
By contrast, former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, of the Yamina
(rightward) list, told Israel Hayom, in mid February,
We [her and Bennett] are in favor of applying Israeli law
to Area C, where 100,000 Palestinians live. They will be able to
choose to become citizens or residents, whichever they prefer.
When asked whether 400,000 residents of Jerusalem’s Arab
neighborhoods would also receive full Israeli citizenship and the
right to vote in Israel’s elections, Shaked said,
Jerusalem’s residents choose to receive residency, not
citizenship. But, if we apply Israeli law to Area C, I’ll live
peacefully with the fact that we gave 400-500,000 Palestinians,
Israeli citizenship, and allowed them to vote in the Knesset’s
elections. I’m not worried. Their birthrate is identical to our
birthrate.
More muddled thinking…
In 2017, Betzalel Smotrich of the Yamina (rightward) list, wrote
about his “One Hope Plan.” There he talked about economic
incentives to encourage Arab emigration from Judea and Samaria, and
then said,
The Arabs of Judea and Samaria will conduct their daily
lives on their own terms via regional municipal administrations
lacking national characteristics. Like other local authorities these
will hold their own elections, and will maintain regular economic and
municipal relations between themselves and authorities of the State
of Israel. In time, and contingent on loyalty to the state and its
institutions, and on military or national service, models of
residency and even citizenship will become available.
And what about infrastructure, education, etc.?
Yet, there’s no talk of Israeli control over infrastructure, no
discussion of changes to the educational system, and it allows the
Arabs in Judea and Samaria to immediately choose their own municipal
leadership and pay municipal taxes. The timeline is fuzzy, and there
is no talk of a De-Palistinazification Program.
And, what’s this about military service for a recent
enemy population…?
Holding elections is not enough in Judea and
Samaria
Smotrich addressed the possible “Apartheid” accusation, by
saying they’ll hold their own elections. But, since he didn’t
discuss serious policies, about improving the life of the Arabs in
Judea and Samaria (what I call “Sovereignty with Responsibility”),
nor clear timelines for status issues, his answers to the “Apartheid”
accusation are weak, in my opinion.
Another plan for Judea and Samaria – increase the
Jewish population indirectly, through infrastructure improvement
The Yesha Council, the
umbrella organization of municipal councils of Jewish towns in Judea
and Samaria, has a master plan they’ve been promoting, called
“Hazon Ha-Million” (the Vision of One Million), to double the
Jewish population of Judea and Samaria, which currently numbers about
450,000, to one million, within the next ten years.
“If you look at all of the investments in infrastructure in the
past 10 years, there was relatively little in Judea and Samaria,”
says Hananel Dorani, chairman of the council.
Today, we are busy making master plans for electricity,
transportation, water, alternative energy, industry, the economy, and
the environment. If there will be four-lane highways here, it will
give greater momentum to further settlement.
Infrastructure benefits everyone
They emphasize that their plan addresses the “Apartheid”
issue. Planned improvements to the infrastructure will benefit both
Jews and Arabs. CEO Yigal Dilmoni explained,
We are certain that we will be here and that we will stay
forever, and we know that Arabs will be here as well. So, when I
worry about the construction of a new road, so that there will not be
accidents, it is not a road that will be for just for me, but rather,
it will be for the Arabs in the area as well.
Dilmoni continued,
When we add improvements in infrastructure of water and
electricity, it is the same infrastructure that will be supplied to
the Arab villages who live in the area. My worries and concerns for
the future of the area are for the entire region. The Arabs will
benefit from improvements to the roads, water, and electricity, and
will enhance their well-being. When that happens, the area will be
calmer.
Deeds, not words: settle Judea and Samaria
directly
Although Likud, Yamina, and others on the right, support
settlement in theory, the Nahala Movement, a settlement group, is
doing something about it. They are promoting an Israeli settlement
plan introduced under the government of late Prime Minister Yitzhak
Shamir in the early 1980s. The main objective is to settle 2 million
Jews in Judea and Samaria. Nahala activists have been demanding the
next government work toward the settlement of all of Judea and
Samaria, and to abandon the idea of a two-state solution.
Gathering support
They have been collecting signatures on a petition that reads,
I hereby commit to be loyal to the land of Israel, not to
cede one inch of our inheritance from our forefathers. I hereby
commit to act to realize the settlement plan, for the settlement of 2
million Jews in Judea and Samaria, in accordance with Prime Minister
Yitzhak Shamir’s plan, as well as to encourage and lead the
redemption of all the lands throughout Judea and Samaria. I commit to
act to cancel the declaration of two states for two peoples and
replace it with the stately declaration: The Land of Israel: One
country for one people.
They have received support from Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein,
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, Environmental Protection and
Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Public Security Minister
Gilad Erdan, Culture Minister Miri Regev, and several other
ministers. Former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and former Education
Minister Naftali Bennett, both of the Yamina list, also have signed
the petition.
What sovereignty over Judea and Samaria will
require
Exercising sovereignty means massive Jewish re-settlement
of Judea and Samaria and encouraging Arab emigration from there. It
means total control over the infrastructure, and the lives of the
former PA Arabs who stay. And, it also means responsibility, to help
improve the lives of those Arabs who choose to stay and live
peacefully with Jews.
Levels of support for annexation: a closer look
According to a mid-February poll conducted by Commanders for
Israel’s Security, which opposes annexation, they found that 60% of
those surveyed were against annexation, while 24% supported it, and
16% were undecided.
In late March, a survey by the Geocartographia Institute, found
that 73% of Israelis oppose withdrawal from Judea and Samaria and the
division of Jerusalem in order to establish a Palestinian state. Of
those who oppose a Palestinian state, 85% support one of three
proposals, application of sovereignty over Jewish settlements only
(45%); application of sovereignty over all of Area C (18.7%); or
application of sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria and granting
residency status to the Arabs, such as in East Jerusalem (21.3%).
What the respondents would like to see
If those numbers are anywhere near accurate, then just putting the
annexation issue onto the agenda isn’t enough. To win over a
majority of Israelis, annexation plans must be presented in more
detail than is currently being discussed. They need to be made more
realistic, and address the numerous issues involved in applying
Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria.
Now let’s look at some:
Policy Ideas for Extending Israeli
Sovereignty to Judea and Samaria
1. Nullify the Oslo Accords and pass a bill in the Knesset to
apply Israeli law over Judea and Samaria, for the establishment of
Jewish Political Sovereignty to areas A, B, and C, i.e. Annexation.
2. Establish total military and security control over all of Judea
and Samaria, including the Arab cities, towns and villages, and
de-militarize the Arab population.
3. Develop a Jewish Re-settlement Program to encourage Israelis
and Jews from the diaspora, to re-populate the Biblical Heartland of
Israel, rebuilding cities, towns, and villages, that were wiped out
during nearly 2,000 years of foreign occupation.
4. Forcibly dismantle the Palestinian Authority.
5. Arrest and try the PA leadership and Palestinazi terrorists and
activists (or eliminate them if arrest is impossible), for their
encouragement and support of terrorism, i.e. crimes against the
Jewish people, like what was done with Eichmann, and as should have
been done to Arafat.
Remove those who want to kill Jews
6. Introduce throughout the Arab sector in Judea and Samaria (the
former PA), a comprehensive De-Palestinazification Program similar to
what America introduced into Germany after their defeat in World War
II.
7. Establish an Emigration Authority and the Monetary
Encouragement Act to help encourage and fund the migration of Arabs
from Judea and Samaria who choose to leave to another country.
8. For those Arabs who chose to stay, and take the citizenship
path, a New Citizenship Council will be established. The council will
have the authority to deny citizenship to those Arabs who break the
law, which of course will included any form of resistance to Israeli
Sovereignty. Deportation without compensation will be the lightest
penalty; more grievous violations will receive the death penalty.
Policing all of Judea and Samaria
9. With Sovereignty comes responsibility, so Israel will establish
a network of Israeli Police Stations throughout the Arab sector in
Judea and Samaria, just as in the Jewish sector. The purpose, to keep
law and order, and provide security to those Arabs who choose to live
peacefully under Israeli rule, i.e. protect them from the bullying
and terror of “Palestinazi Activists” who haven’t yet been
arrested, tried and convicted.
10. With the Dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, Israel as
sole Sovereign in the Area, will take control of all public services
and municipal administration. Monies shall be invested into improved
infrastructure, e.g. roads, electricity, water, the sewer system,
etc.
Education and health care
11. By taking control over the educational system in the Arab
sector, Israel can introduce a new pro-Israel, peaceful coexistence
curricula, which includes it’s De-Palestinazification Program.
Financial encouragement of Israeli Arab educators to work in the Arab
sector of Judea and Samaria, should help introduce pro-Israel
attitudes and Hebrew into the population.
12. A Healthcare improvement initiative will be started, including
the financial encouragement of existing Israeli Arab medical
personnel, to work in the Arab sector of Judea and Samaria. More
contact between Israeli Arab citizens and the Arab citizens of Judea
and Samaria, will help with their integration into Israel, long-term.
Obligations of citizenship (not military)
13. The new Arab citizens of Judea and Samaria, will be entitled
to full civil rights and equality before the law with Jews, including
civil and criminal adjudication in the Israeli court system, just as
Israeli Arabs. They also will be responsible to pay all taxes, just
like other Israelis. They also will be required to do National
Service (but not army service), as will Israeli Arabs.
Municipal self-rule…
14. Starting in 2049 (thirty years from the time these policies
are introduced), and upon approval of the New Citizenship Council in
coordination with the security services; municipal self-rule will
begin to be progressively introduced into the Arab sector of Judea
and Samaria, contingent upon their cooperation with Israeli
authorities and peaceful, proper and lawful behavior up until then.
Cities, towns and villages that qualify, will then be given the
opportunity to hold democratic elections and elect their own
municipal administrations under the auspices of the of the New
Citizenship Council. Those towns would now be allowed to collect
their own tax money and fund and administer, their own municipal
budgets.
…but not self-determination
15. But, as a former enemy population, they are not entitled to
national self-determination within the State of Israel, the
Nation-State of the Jewish People. Therefore, the Arabs of Judea and
Samaria, are not entitled to vote in Knesset elections. Full
citizenship, like Israeli Arabs, which includes the right to vote in
national elections, will be offered to them in three generations or
seventy years (from the time these policies are introduced),
whichever is longer, contingent upon their full cooperation with
Israeli authorities, good and lawful behavior, and with the approval
of the security services and the New Citizenship Council.
Integrating Judea and Samaria into Israel
I have presented here just one possible scenario, policies
that still need to be fleshed out with even more detail, of what to
do with the Arabs of Judea and Samaria, once Israeli sovereignty has
been established there.
As the issue is put on the top of the political agenda, all
scenarios being presented to the public, need to be well thought out,
explained in detail and fully discussed, to achieve public support
and total success.
This generation’s major challenge is, how the Jewish
people will achieve full integration of Judea and Samaria (the
Biblical Heartland), into the modern State of Israel.
Biography
Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a
Master’s Degree specializing in International Relations, Political
Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous
news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest
articles can also be read on his archive: The
Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
© 2019/5779 Pasko
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