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Could Liberman's West Bank plan play into Hamas' hands?

Palestinians say the benefits and punishments plan introduced by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is doomed to fail because it seeks to replace President Mahmoud Abbas with other leading Palestinians.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman looks on during a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow on January 26, 2015. AFP PHOTO / VASILY MAXIMOV        (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)
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Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman unveiled on Aug. 17 what was described as a plan to contend with Palestinian terrorism. The two main points that Liberman presented to the press were the need to find an alternative civilian leadership to replace Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the mapping of towns and villages throughout the West Bank as “red” and “green.” Regions from which no terrorist activities are launched will be colored green on a map hanging in the Defense Ministry and earn various benefits and an easing of restrictions. Regions from which terrorists originate will be colored red, and security measures will be leveled against them.

While it is unclear whether residents of the “red” areas will be denied permits to work in Israel, it's already known that green areas will be rewarded with the expansion of their development plans. Furthermore, an economic corridor linking Jericho and Jordan will be established, an industrial zone will be built west of Nablus, a hospital will be constructed in Beit Sahour, east of Bethlehem, and playgrounds and soccer fields will be created in Samaria.

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