This is the main disagreement between Religious Zionism and Likud

T. Belman. Smotrich should hang tough. Not only because area C is our biblical heartland and is crucial to Israel’s defense but also because it is long past due for Israel  to say “no” to the US and the EU.  This should be none of their business. It is an internal matter.

“If not now, when?

While MK Smotrich demands control of Civil Administration, Netanyahu worries policies will cause diplomatic conflicts with US, EU, report says.

ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS

Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Bezalel Smotrich (R)Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90

The main sticking point in the coalition negotiations between the Likud party and Religious Zionism is responsibility for the Civil Administration and the creation of a policy for settlement and destruction, Israel Hayom reported.

According to the report, Religious Zionism has noted that the Civil Administration ignores illegal construction by Arabs while dealing harshly with the same actions by Jews. The party’s chairman, MK Bezalel Smotrich, wishes his party to take responsibility for the Civil Administration, with the intention of “ending the takeover of Area C” and making it easier for Jews to build in the area.

Under the Oslo Accords, Judea and Samaria was divided into three areas. Area C is under Israeli military and civilian control. Area A refers to parts of the region controlled entirely by the Palestinian Authority (PA), whilst Area B refers to those parts under civilian PA control, but with Israel still responsible for security. While Arabs live and work in all three areas, Jews are only allowed to live in Area C.

Israel Hayom noted that while the Likud party agrees in principle with Smotrich, they have clarified that the issue is a sensitive one both with the US and with the European Union. Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, therefore, is concerned that Smotrich’s policy in this area will create conflicts in the diplomatic sphere.

November 29, 2022 | 3 Comments »

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  1. My previous comment suggests a compromise is possible between Likud and Religious Zionism — Smotrich should be given responsibility over the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria with the stipulation that: (1) a decision on whether or not to extend Israeli sovereignty to Area C and/or Judea and Samaria will be postponed until after decisive action is taken to end and reverse Iran’s continuing progress toward producing a nuclear weapon, and (2) Smotrich will have the authority to order the Civil Administration, in conjunction with the IDF, to immediately end and reverse illegal construction by Arabs and/or foreign NGO’s in Area C.

  2. Perhaps Netanyahu is reluctant to go along with Smotrich’s plan to extend Israeli sovereignty to Area C at this point because he believes it might quash any possibility of the U.S. supporting or joining Israel in a necessary attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to prevent a nuclear holocaust.
    If so, I believe Netanyahu’s reluctance is justified. However, extension of Israeli sovereignty to Area C, and potentially to all of Judea and Samaria, should not be put off indefinitely because it is critically necessary to successfully counter the PA’s unceasing promotion and support of Palestinian terrorism.