The West Bank: The True Prize in a Conflict Decided in Gaza

Eng. Saleem Al Batayneh

The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, which has centered on Gaza, masks a critical truth: the fate of the West Bank is the ultimate prize. While Gaza remains the focal point of current hostilities, the strategic significance of the West Bank cannot be overstated. For Israeli leaders, this territory—rich in plateaus and mountains and overlooking vital Israeli centers—represents the real objective. The proximity of the West Bank to major Israeli cities, such as the mere 10 miles between the West Bank and Netanya, underscores the necessity, from their perspective, to control and ultimately expel its residents, echoing the actions of 1948.

The historical context is crucial. In 1948, the Haganah, led by Ben-Gurion, executed the Dalet Plan, aiming to decisively strike Palestinian communities, destroying their homes and expelling the inhabitants. This strategy of enforced displacement has left an indelible mark on the region’s history.

In his 1992 book, A Place Among the Nations: Israel and the World, Benjamin Netanyahu underscores the strategic importance of the West Bank, referring to it as essential for Israel’s security. Gaza, he notes, presents a political threat, while the West Bank poses a strategic one due to its geographical and demographic ties. Netanyahu’s sentiment reflects a broader Israeli strategic vision, one that Charles Freilich, former Israeli Deputy National Security Advisor, terms a “geographical nightmare.” Israel’s lack of natural borders exacerbates its vulnerability, making control of the West Bank even more critical.

The systematic approach to this plan is evident. Recent actions, such as the largest land seizure in the West Bank in 30 years—approximately 13,000 dunams in the Jordan Valley, Al-Aziziya, and Abu Dis—illustrate ongoing efforts to assert control under the pretext of state land claims. This follows historical patterns of land acquisition through various periods, including Ottoman, British, and Jordanian rule, facilitated by organizations like the Jewish National Fund.

The Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem endure life in what can be described as an open-air prison. The West Bank, dissected by over 850 checkpoints, obstacles, and barriers, prevents geographical continuity and pressures residents to leave, a strategy that harks back to the Yigal Allon Plan of 1967.

The ramifications of Gaza’s fate are far-reaching. Regional geopolitics will inevitably be reshaped, with Israel poised to exploit any distraction or instability among Arab states to implement remaining aspects of the “deal of the century.” This will not end the region’s period of anxiety but rather usher in significant transformation, with the Arab states unable to play a decisive, honorable role.

We are witnessing a brutal phase of Zionist expansionism. Jordan, in particular, must recognize that the West Bank’s destiny is intertwined with Gaza’s conflict. This realization demands urgent, loud, and decisive action. The fear of miscalculations leading to uncharted territory is real. Notably, American journalist Roger Cohen recently suggested that the future of Palestinians lies in Jordan, which already hosts 60% of its population and can accommodate more. This controversial view positions Jordan as a perpetual absorber of regional crises, which has been its historical role.

The plight of the Palestinians, who have suffered for over 75 years due to conspiracies and geopolitical games, remains dire. They continue to fight, starve, and die alone, with their children buried in solitary grief. Their struggle is a stark reminder of the ongoing human tragedy and the urgent need for a just and lasting resolution.

Eng. Al Batayneh was a member of the Jordanian Parliament.