Former Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, a candidate with Gadi Eisenkot’s party, voiced opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state while also rejecting full Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria. Speaking at a private gathering in Shoham last Thursday, Cohen said a Palestinian state was not currently relevant and suggested that, at most, Israel could eventually consider Palestinian autonomy.
“A Palestinian state is not relevant," Cohen said, according to an audio recording published by Ynet. “I think that in the future, maybe, maybe, we could see a scenario called autonomy. Autonomy would be the maximum."
Cohen said Israel should retain security responsibility in Judea and Samaria, with the IDF and defense establishment maintaining control. At the same time, he said, Israeli communities in the area should be allowed to “thrive and develop according to the government’s plan and not by any political factor such or another."
He stressed that any steps taken must comply with the law and should not be perceived internationally as harming Israel’s long-term national interests. Cohen also rejected calls for full annexation, saying he does not believe such a move would serve Israel’s interests.
“Most of the public fears that such a move will turn us into a bi-national state, lead us to a bigger confrontation, sour relations with the entire world, destroy our peace agreements and we will pay endless blood prices," he said. “Therefore, I also don’t think it’s right."
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized Cohen’s remarks, arguing that his position would ultimately lead to the establishment of a Palestinian entity that could threaten Israel.
“The left-wing government of Eisenkot proposes that instead of Israeli sovereignty, we promote the establishment of ‘Palestinian autonomy,’" Smotrich said. “In other words, a terror state five minutes from Kfar Saba."
“We’re not warning for no reason," Smotrich added. “The Eisenkot government will demolish Israeli towns and new communities, and on their ruins it will establish a terror state. They say it in their own voice, one needs only to listen. Lieberman wants them to be quiet so you won’t know that he’s selling everything to the left. The Eisenkot-Lieberman government is dangerous for Israel," Smotrich said.