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Rightist MKs slam PM's move to transfer armored vehicles to PA
By Barak Ravid and Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondents and The Associated Press
Tags: Palestinian Authority 

Rightist MKs on Wednesday lashed out at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for approving the transfer of 25 armored vehicles from Russia to Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank.

"The prime minister will be personally responsible for each Jew that will be harmed, and he will be put on trial for crimes against the Jewish people," MK Arieh Eldad (National Union) said.

Reversing two years of opposition to the transfer, Olmert is presenting the agreement as a gesture to moderate Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas in advance of next week's Mideast peace conference in the U.S., officials said.
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The Israel Defense Forces and the internal Shin Bet security service have opposed supplying Abbas' forces with armored vehicles, in part because of concern that they might fall into the hands of the militant groups, particularly Islamic Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud), in an interview with Army Radio, called on rightist ministers Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) and Eli Yishai (Shas) to "leave this reckless and failed government."

"According to all the security services, Olmert is endangering the lives of Israeli civilians," Netanyahu said. National Religious Party Chair Zevulun Orlev echoed Netanyahu's sentiments, saying that "Olmert is greasing the wheels of terror with his own two hands and is selling the state's security on the cheap."

Palestinian security forces are to deploy the vehicles in the West Bank city of Nablus.

When Hamas overran Gaza in June, expelling Fatah forces loyal to Abbas, the Islamists captured large quantities of weapons that had been supplied to Fatah by the United States and others, with Israeli approval.

A political source emphasized that Olmert only authorized the supply of half of the number of vehicles originally approved, which was some 50, and for them only to be used in Nablus. Most of this area is under PA security control.

"In the event of the security situation stabilizing in other cities, the second half will be approved as well," the source said.

Sources close to the prime minister rejected criticism of the move, saying the transfer of the vehicles does not constitute a strategic threat.

A senior Olmert aide said: "We are not building a nuclear reactor for the Palestinians. These armored vehicles are meant to protect against small arms fire, and to aid the Palestinians enforce order."

"If there is the need, as there was in the past, Israel will not have any problems in destroying the vehicles in a short period of time," the source added.

Israel still has large numbers of troops in the West Bank but withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

Some three years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked that former prime minister Ariel Sharon approve the supplying of 50 armored vehicles to the PA. Although the request was approved in principle, Russia did not transfer the vehicles.

Olmert gave his approval to the deal after Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas made a further request to Russia and Israel for the transfer of the vehicles few weeks ago.

No time frame was given for arrival of the vehicles.

In addition to the armored vehicles, the officials said, Olmert approved shipment of 1,000 rifles and 2 million rounds of ammunition for Abbas' forces.

A Hamas spokesman, Sami Au Zuhri, said the "Israeli decision proved Abbas was working hand in hand with the occupation against [Palestinian] resistance."

"Hamas will remain committed to fight against the occupation and will not give up," Abu Zuhri said.

Barak cancels wide-scale IDF operations in Nablus
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak has called off wide-scale IDF raids planned to take place in Nablus. During recent weeks there has also been a substantial decrease in the scope of IDF arrest operations against wanted men. In addition to this, some 25 checkpoints have been lifted across the West Bank.

According to a security source, the reason for the operations' cancellation is apparently the desire not to damage the chances for success of the peace summit next week.

The IDF has, however, recently increased its presence along West Bank roads. This is from the fear that Palestinians will increase attempts to commit terror attacks before the summit, including within the Green Line.



Related articles:
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  • PA Police seize 40 bombs in militant stronghold in Nablus
  • U.S. to give Nablus $1M in aid in pre-summit boost for Abbas
  • Newly deployed PA police force leaves Nablus to IDF at night
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      1.   the guy doesnt even try to hide it any more-he`s a pal wana-be 02:56  |  yahn goodey 21/11/07
      2.   With such Olmert , You almost could hear Arafat` Tomb Laughing 03:38  |  Joseph E . 21/11/07
      3.   Who is now on the murderous path of Arafat terror legacy 03:43  |  Joseph E . 21/11/07
      4.   50 armored vehicles to PA 04:53  |  David 21/11/07
      5.   Honor Rabin`s Words - One Bullet and Back to Tunis ! 05:37  |  Mike 21/11/07
      6.   Olmert 05:40  |  Chana 21/11/07
      7.   to # 1 yahn goodey 06:01  |  Steve the Pals. 21/11/07
      8.   olmert approves 50 armored vehicles for arabs 06:12  |  geroge 21/11/07
      9.   unbelievable 07:23  |  izak 21/11/07
      10.   You have got to be kidding me!! 07:32  |  Efi 21/11/07
      11.   Not a bad move 07:43  |  Awake 21/11/07
      12.   Death by a thousand cuts - by Israel`s own leader 07:44  |  Raymond from DC 21/11/07
      13.   50 armored cars? the history repeats 08:05  |  vogel 21/11/07
      14.   Olmert and the Russian tanks 09:40  |  Joe 21/11/07
      15.   Everyone is Maximizing Olmert`s Idiocy While He is in Power 09:44  |  J 21/11/07
      16.   OLMERT SHOULD BE JAILED : ELECTIONS NOW !! 10:20  |  M.Affiozi 21/11/07
      17.   Forget it 10:21  |  Natallie Durson 21/11/07
      18.   CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MAY BE THE LAST HOPE !! 10:23  |  H.Onesty 21/11/07
      19.   Olmert, Olmert, Olmert, and what about the recognition? 10:24  |  Talia Yardeni 21/11/07
      20.   Many gestures of Israel`s part. 10:28  |  Sue 21/11/07
      21.   NOBODY Understands ANYTHING 10:29  |  Ahmed 21/11/07
      22.   CRAZY !!!! NUTS!! 10:42  |  Dr Eric 21/11/07
      23.   Danger to palestinians! 11:28  |  Zeidan 21/11/07
      24.   On the eve of Annapolis World Theatre 11:48  |  H.H.M 21/11/07
      25.   Check out this link for full details ... 11:49  |  Christoph Benning 21/11/07
      26.   The typical Zionist hypocrisy 11:56  |  Axel 21/11/07
      27.   Rightists 12:21  |  Michael 21/11/07
      28.   whom the gods wish to destroy they first send mad 12:41  |  victor hardman 21/11/07
      29.   HOW COME ONLY THE RIGHTISTS ARE SENSIBLE IN ISRAEL 12:49  |  Lou Knee 21/11/07
      30.   Experiment. 13:18  |  Vital 21/11/07
      31.   #hysteria 14:02  |  bill 21/11/07
      32.   Kick away Olmert before to late 14:59  |  Daniel 21/11/07
      33.   is aircon fitted as standard?? 15:18  |  ROB OF MELBOURNE AUS 21/11/07
      34.   Olmert, arming PA & "goodwill" gestures. 15:25  |  curious 21/11/07
      35.   this guy is criminal swine 15:33  |  chaim schonbrun 21/11/07
      36.   50 tanks 15:33  |  Marcel 21/11/07
      37.   so what should the pal fight terror with sticks 15:37  |  kamal 21/11/07
      38.   Relax guys, this is not a threat, just a vehicle 15:39  |  maurice 21/11/07
      39.   The Right trying to ensure Abbas` failure 16:08  |  Tosefta 21/11/07
      40.   Confidence building 16:11  |  MR 21/11/07
      41.   23 Zeidan. Wish there were more of clear thinkers like you... 16:25  |  bat yam 21/11/07
      42.   CIVIL WAR IN ISRAEL IS NO LONGER A MAYBE! 16:26  |  WARRIOR 21/11/07
      43.   The Zionist nightmare 16:27  |  Axel 21/11/07
      44.   Installation of tracking devices and kill 16:34  |  bobby 21/11/07
      45.   #26 Axel - Name one condition!!! 17:11  |  * BEN JABO 21/11/07
      46.   Haaretz swooned by Islamic terrorist "armies" 17:14  |  SLAVO 21/11/07
      47.   Israel permitting the enemy to get weaponry 17:14  |  KUTW 21/11/07
      48.   Olmert should be "Certified" as insane 17:17  |  * BEN JABO 21/11/07
      49.   downward spiral into the abyss of darkness 17:21  |  redrum 21/11/07
      50.   Olmert is a raving lunatic and will represent Israel 17:27  |  * BEN JABO 21/11/07
      51.   "Rightists MK`s slam PM`s move........" 17:37  |  Swiss (Dino) 21/11/07
      52.   And there`s NO POSSIBLE WAY.... 17:38  |  Steve 21/11/07
      53.   The Abominable Slowman 18:24  |  Yuval Azoulay 21/11/07
      54.   Axel is a LIAR 18:25  |  GZLives 21/11/07
      55.   Armor to Fatah gift from Israelis 18:31  |  Ray 21/11/07
      56.   Olmert needs to put himself in the driver`s seat 18:33  |  Dutch 21/11/07
      57.   Typical neonazi duplicity from Axelchen 18:44  |  Absolute Sweden 21/11/07
      58.   It is not hysteria, it is concern. 18:47  |  Vital 21/11/07
      59.   The Right trying to ensure Abbas` failure 18:59  |  Tosefta 21/11/07
      60.   Olmert support Fatah Charter 19:04  |  Joseph E . 21/11/07
      61.   Surely Olmert cannot make these... 19:05  |  Nemesis 21/11/07
      62.   calm down rightists-nothing to fret over 19:13  |  premonitious 21/11/07
      63.   Arms to the PA 19:18  |  Nili 21/11/07
      64.   #59 Tosefta 19:22  |  * BEN JABO 21/11/07
      65.   Theater of the ABSURD!!!!!!!!!! 19:24  |  Jeremy 21/11/07
      66.   #60 Joseph E. 19:32  |  * BEN JABO 21/11/07
      67.   Ben Jabo #64 19:39  |  Tosefta 21/11/07
      68.   If the Palestinian leadership negates the existence of 19:49  |  Yael 21/11/07
      69.   Perversion of Law , Violations of counter terrorism policies 20:01  |  Joseph E . 21/11/07
      70.   Hamas: We thank Ehud Olmert 20:32  |  Jonathan S 21/11/07
      71.   TO BEN JABO #45 20:38  |  Steve Beikirch 21/11/07
      72.   #64 BEN JABO 21:02  |  tbora 21/11/07
      73.   Churchill`s wisdom for Slowman 21:16  |  Yuval Azoulay 21/11/07
      74.   #56doris and the polls which ones is she looking at ? 22:31  |  victor hardman 21/11/07
      75.   #22 Dr Eric. "People are going to be killed." 22:40  |  Maureen Ann 21/11/07
      76.   Does The IDF fears 50 Russian APC`s? 23:10  |  Lev Bronstein 21/11/07
      77.   # 66 BEN JABO @ USA 23:52  |  Joseph E . 21/11/07
      78.   A Danger to the State of Israel 02:08  |  Jack 22/11/07