No Palestine without Jordan Valley

Since the civil unrest began spreading throughout the Arab world, Netanyahu has increased his efforts to garner support from Western leaders for continued Israeli presence in the Jordan Valley. He claims the region is vital for Israel's security, particularly in light of the recent uprisings in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and other countries.

However, the PM said the issue of sovereignty over the Jordan Valley will be determined during the peace negotiations, should they resume. “Without Israeli presence in the Jordan Valley, a truck will be able to travel freely from Iran to Petah Tikva [a city in central Israel],” he said during a tour of the region. Without military presence in the Jordan Valley, the PM continued, Israel will not be able to thwart the smuggling of arms to the territories or prevent terrorists from infiltrating.

In response to Netanyahu's comments, Fayyad said there is no other solution than the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders [which would include the Jordan Valley, the West Bank or Judea and Samaria, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem].

Excerpts of an article by Attila Somfalvi and Elior Levy, Ynetnews