In Area B, Israel has security responsibility, the Palestinians have civilian sovereignty.
Security and civilian issues are controlled by Israel in Area C
Today, Areas A and B represent 40% of the West Bank territory and 99.2% of the Palestinian population. But there is no continuity between the Palestinians in Areas A and B.
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I am suggesting adding 20% of Area C to give full continuity to the Palestinian state, with 60% of the territory in the West Bank and 99% of the population.
On Jerusalem - Mofaz was very definite:
The issue of Jerusalem should be discussed in a very sensitive way. There is no chance to divide Jerusalem. It will remain united as the capital of the state of Israel and we have to find a way to handle the daily life of the Jewish and Palestinian people in Jerusalem.
On the vexed issue of building in Jewish settlements in the West Bank during negotiations - Mofaz was clear:
We will not freeze the life or building in Ma'ale Adumim, Gush Etzion, Efrat, Ariel and some others, all of which are known as the settlement blocs.
Regarding the areas that will be the future Palestinian state, I believe that we should consider the continuation of the life of the people, but we should not build in this area because it will be under the sovereignty and responsibility of the Palestinian state.
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This makes it very clear which areas we will continue to build in and which we should allow daily life to continue but without any building.
Mofaz's views - if accepted by Netanyahu - will form the basis for a final offer that Israel will be making to the Palestinian Authority. No doubt such offer will be rejected - because it would mean a substantial diminution in territory from the last offer made by Israel's Prime Minister Olmert in 2008 - and several even more attractive offers made and rejected in 1937,1947 and 2000. Israel would be totally justified in this decision - since it is now facing a militarized Palestinian State that does not recognize Israel as the Jewish State. For Israel - the refusal of such an offer would signal that it is time to annex Area C, retain security control in Area B - and let the state of Palestine exercise its new found sovereignty in Areas A, B and Gaza. Israel's national unity Government clearly signals that it is not in a mood to play the Palestinian Authority's game any more.
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About the Author
David Singer is an Australian Lawyer, a Foundation Member of the International Analyst Network and Convenor of Jordan is Palestine International - an organisation calling for sovereignty of the West Bank and Gaza to be allocated between Israel and Jordan as the two successor States to the Mandate for Palestine. Previous articles written by him can be found at www.jordanispalestine.blogspot.com.