Lieberman Proposed West Bank Confederation With Jordan
The plan suggests transferring administrative and security control of certain West Bank areas to the Jordanian government.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Terrorism
Live Poll
Should Israel seek to share administrative responsibility for the West Bank with Jordan?
Avigdor Lieberman has proposed a confederation plan that would transfer administrative and security responsibility for West Bank Areas A and B to Jordan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested that Lieberman retract the proposal immediately.
Why it matters
Lieberman argues that the Palestinian issue is more acute for Jordan and that Israel must prevent a power vacuum in the region. The proposal seeks to shift the management of these areas away from the current Palestinian Authority control.
The Palestinian Authority currently manages Area A and shares control of Area B with Israel, while Israel holds full control of Area C. No formal diplomatic path for Jordanian involvement has been established.
The players
Avigdor Lieberman
He is a prominent Israeli politician who has held multiple ministerial positions and previously served in a government that included Mansour Abbas.
Benjamin Netanyahu
He is the Prime Minister of Israel who currently leads the government and requested the withdrawal of the confederation proposal.
Jordan
This Middle Eastern nation is identified by Lieberman as a potential administrative partner for the West Bank territories.
Palestinian Authority
This governing body currently holds administrative and security responsibility in various parts of the West Bank.
The details
Lieberman suggested that Jordan could deploy its army or establish battalions to manage the territories under its own command. This proposal contrasts with the existing administrative and security framework established in the West Bank.
Timeline
2005: Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip.
September 23, 2026: Lieberman proposed the confederation plan.
Legal Context
The proposed West Bank confederation marks a potential departure from the security disengagement policy set by the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. This shift challenges established regional governance frameworks that have evolved since the 2005 period.
The proposal creates significant uncertainty for the management of security and administrative services in the West Bank. Residents and businesses in these areas currently face questions regarding future governance and potential shifts in local security protocols.
The takeaway
The proposal highlights a fundamental disagreement within the Israeli government regarding the future administration of the West Bank. Implementing such a plan would require unprecedented cooperation between Israel and Jordan to address the current administrative void.
Further reading
For more on the regional security landscape, visit our Terrorism section.
Live Poll
Should Israel seek to share administrative responsibility for the West Bank with Jordan?
