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Why did Israel retain administration and security control in Area C of the West Bank?
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Palestinian Authority
U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton (center) looking on as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) shakes hands with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Self-Rule, September 1993.
Under the Oslo II Accords, the West Bank was divided into three administrative zones to manage the transition toward Palestinian self-governance. Area C, which comprises the majority of the West Bank, was designated as a territory under full Israeli administration and security control during the interim period.1
Israel retained this control for several strategic and political reasons:
- Security and Strategic Interests: Israelās defense establishment historically prioritized maintaining control over strategic locations, such as the Jordan Valley, to bolster national security and strengthen its position in negotiations.2
- Protection of Settlements: Area C contains the majority of Israeli settlements, which were established for various reasons, including ideological goals, the recovery of historical property, and the desire for secure, affordable housing.2
- Negotiation Leverage: The division of the territory was intended to be an interim measure while final status issuesāsuch as borders, the status of settlements, and security arrangementsāwere negotiated between the two parties.31
While the Palestinian Authority was granted self-governance in other areas, the complexities of the conflict and the failure to reach a permanent resolution by the 1999 deadline left these arrangements in place, resulting in continued Israeli administration in Area C.31