(Times of Israel) U.S.-drafted security proposals would require the dismantling of all Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley, Israel's Army Radio reported Tuesday. Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon last week publicly opposed this idea, saying that a civilian presence is critical to the maintenance of effective control of the Jordan Valley. Ya'alon is also reported to want the IDF to retain the right to enter any part of the West Bank if necessary to thwart terrorism. The U.S. proposal would utilize drones and other high-tech equipment to provide real-time intelligence on any terrorist threats and other unlawful border activity. Amos Gilad, a senior Defense Ministry official, stressed on Tuesday that such intelligence would have "no value" whatsoever if Israeli soldiers were not deployed in the area to act upon it.
2013-12-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive