Analysis

Deciphering the security policies put forth by Gantz, Netanyahu

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz hinted that he would seek major economic investment in Gaza’s civilian economy and infrastructure to stabilize the enclave, and respond to security challenges with far greater force than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has.

By Yaakov Lappin / April 8, 2019

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To get a sense of where Gantz and his party would seek to take Israel in regards to the West Bank, it might be worth examining the outline for a future strategy released last year by the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. Gantz, together with Ya’alon and former chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, who is also a member of Blue and White’s leadership, were purportedly involved in the drawing up of the outline.

The plan calls for attempting to reach “interim arrangements that build an infrastructure for a two-state solution in the long term in coordination with the Palestinians, if possible,” and if this proves impossible, it calls for “independent steps if the other routes are blocked in order to demonstrate the seriousness of Israel’s intentions” to politically separate from the Palestinians, while ensuring an IDF presence in the West Bank for the foreseeable future.

“In contrast to the disengagement from the Gaza Strip, security will be left completely in Israel’s hands. Not all of the territory will be evacuated, no Jewish communities will be dismantled, and there will be no withdrawal to the Green Line. The process will be coordinated and controlled,” stated INSS director Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin.

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For full article: https://www.jns.org/deciphering-the-security-policies-put-forth-by-gantz-and-netanyahu/