MK Nissim Vaturi (Likud) criticized former prime minister Naftali Bennett's proposal to hand over Areas A and B in Judea and Samaria to Palestinian control, saying Bennett is "the last one left in the 'peace talks with the Arabs' concept." Vaturi called for strengthening Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria instead.
MK Nissim Vaturi (Likud) on Tuesday afternoon sharply criticized former prime minister Naftali Bennett's declaration that he would hand over Areas A and B in Judea and Samaria to a Palestinian state. In a statement alongside Boaz Golan, Vaturi called Bennett "the last one left in the 'peace talks with the Arabs' concept" and urged instead that Israel strengthen Jewish settlement across Judea and Samaria. Vaturi's pushback follows a wave of right-wing condemnation of Bennett's remarks earlier Tuesday, including from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who warned the proposal would create a "terror state" in the heart of the country, as The Zioneer reported. Bennett's shift — from a longtime opponent of Palestinian sovereignty to endorsing autonomy in Areas A and B — has reignited debate within Israel over the future of the territories.
- DevelopingBennett interview sparks backlash: Smotrich warns of ‘terror state’ in West Bank
- DevelopingNaftali Bennett declares he will hand over Areas A and B to a Palestinian state
- StrongBennett proposes Palestinian autonomy; MK Buaron attacks: 'He fooled us, left-wing dangerous'
- DevelopingBennett shifts stance on illegal outposts, says he would evacuate them
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