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U.S. Security Proposal Includes Israeli Military Presence in Jordan Valley

(Ha'aretz) Barak Ravid - The American proposal for security arrangements under a future peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians includes an Israeli military presence deployed along the Jordan River for several years after the establishment of a Palestinian state, senior Israeli officials said. According to the plan, the presence of Israeli forces in the Jordan Valley will be reduced in accordance with the security situation. A senior Israeli official said the Americans adopted the Israeli position that an agreement concerning security arrangements be a condition to going forward with the negotiations. Moreover, the American proposal stipulates that the Palestinian state will be demilitarized of heavy weaponry. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon objects to the removal of IDF forces from most of the West Bank, except for the Jordan Valley. Ya'alon thinks the reliance on technological systems for intelligence and early warning is inadequate and that at least for the foreseeable future, the Israeli military must continue to preserve its complete freedom of action in all areas of the future Palestinian state to prevent terror attacks. In addition, Ya'alon objects to any Palestinian presence in the border crossings with Jordan.
2013-12-09 00:00:00
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