Israel Matzav

Netanyahu vows no explusions from Jordan Valley, but what about the rest of Judea and Samaria

Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed on Friday that he would not expel Jews from their homes in the Jordan Valley. But whether he would expel Jews from their homes elsewhere in Judea and Samaria is less clear.

"I have said it before and I repeat it today: I'm not going to evict a single community, I am not going to uproot any Israeli from his home,” Netanyahu said at a press conference following his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

He added that a peace agreement is not on the table at the moment and that even a framework agreement is not being discussed.

"The Americans are talking about a suggestion for a framework for negotiations. This is not an agreement, but a path to making progress,” said Netanyahu, according to NRG/Maariv, adding that his meeting with Kerry had been very good.

The issue of the Jordan Valley has become a point of contention in the talks between Israel and the PA, which insists on full control of the Jordan Valley – along with all other land that was under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967. Israeli experts have warned that the area is strategically critical.

Recent reports indicated that Kerry was pushing the sides to agree to a deal that involves a slow transition from IDF patrols over the region to PA forces, with an international presence.

IDF drones would also be deployed over the area, as a means of gathering information about potential terrorist activity. Israel has reportedly rejected this idea, explaining that drones are not a suitable replacement for the presence of Israeli troops in the region.

 And the high ground in Samaria can be protected by drones?

Labels: Binyamin Netanyahu, Jordan Valley, Judea and Samaria

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:07 PM