Netanyahu backpedals after saying he’ll be in charge of West Bank decisions

15 December 2022, 8:39 pm

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Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, left, Religious Zionism party head Bezalel Smotrich and other party leaders in a group photo after the swearing-in of the 25th Knesset, November 15, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu backpedals after telling the Al Arabiya network that he will have full control over Israeli policy in the West Bank.

The comments are in contrast with his coalition agreements with the far-right Religious Zionism party, which gives them control over civilian issues and construction in the area.

Netanyahu’s Likud party issues a statement to “clarify” that “security powers will be in his hands and in the hands of the defense minister and he was not speaking about the coalition agreement with Religious Zionism regarding the Civil Administration, where decisions will be made in coordination with the prime minister, as set out in the coalition agreement.”