(Updated Tuesday 10:30AM) Speaking from Paris, Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Army radio this morning that he is planning on withdrawing IDF forces from Hevron by the end of the week, security permitting. The move would come as part of the new Judea First plan introduced by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. An extension of the Gaza and Bethlehem First plan, the Judea plan calls for Israel to transfer security control throughout Judea, to the Palestinian security establishment, beginning with Hevron.
Ben-Eliezer said that government officials have already notified Palestinian Authority representatives about the intended Hevron withdrawal. Arutz Sheva’s Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri notes that while Prime Minister Sharon expressed his opposition to the Judea First plan during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday, he didn’t overrule its implementation.
Ben-Eliezer said that government officials have already notified Palestinian Authority representatives about the intended Hevron withdrawal. Arutz Sheva’s Knesset correspondent Haggai Seri notes that while Prime Minister Sharon expressed his opposition to the Judea First plan during the Cabinet meeting on Sunday, he didn’t overrule its implementation.