During an interview with the Knesset Channel, Minister of Agriculture (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel sent a veiled threat to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu pertaining to reports of secret talks aimed at giving away land to the PA (Palestinian Authority).

The reports were carried in the daily Haaretz, explaining talks were held with the PA during which Israel offered the PA (Palestinian Authority) to refrain from entering Ramallah and Yericho unless there is a “ticking time bomb”. The PA refused the offer, stating Israel must refrain from entering any and all PA cities immediately, not just Ramallah and Yericho.

Ariel said that giving away control over areas in Yehuda and Shomron was a red line that must not be crossed, adding he will not remain in any coalition that does so. He added “My colleagues and I were not a member of the coalition that approved the “Gaza and Yericho First” plan and are not supporters of this for this is not how a government is built. The plan calls for giving away lands to determine if the PA can rule over them as they should and if the PA is successful, continuing to give away additional areas.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)