Olmert Offers to Cede Jordan Valley In Return for 3 Communal Blocs

Israel’s lame duck prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has reportedly offered Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas control of the strategically critical Jordan Valley in return for dropping opposition to Israel’s retention of three blocs of post-1967 communities. Retention of the Jordan Valley has always been a redline for Israeli administrations and is undoubtedly going to trigger angry debate within Israel. To some the offer represents the sort of dramatic ploy they predicted Olmert would try before leaving office, calling it an attempt to salvage a legacy that includes achievements in addition to scandal. The Palestinians have reportedly rejected the new offer.