Israeli Cabinet Approves Next Phase of Withdrawal from
West Bank
(November 11, 1999)
On Monday, November 15, 1999, Israel is scheduled to
withdraw from an additional 5 percent of the West Bank — 3 percent of Area C (full Israeli control) to Area B (Israeli security
control, Palestinian civilian control) and 2% of Area B to Area A (full
Israeli control). Afterward, the Palestinian Authority will be in full control of 12% and partial control of 26.8% of the West
Bank. The remaining 61.2% will still be under full Israeli control.
On November 11, 1999, the Israeli cabinet approved the
maps outlining the areas Israel will transfer to the PA. The vote was 17 to
1 (Housing Minister Yitzhak Levy)
with 1 abstention (Interior Minister Natan
Sharansky). The maps must still be approved by Palestinian
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
According to the Sharm
al-Sheikh Memorandum, there is to be another land transfer in January
— 5.1% from B to A, and 1% from C to B — which means that, going into
final border discussions, the Palestinian Authority will be in either complete or partial control of 44.9% of the West Bank.
Sources: Jerusalem Post, (November
11, 1999) |