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Last update - 06:25 31/03/2008 Join the PA police, get NIS 1,400 a month By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Jenin, Israel, Palestinians  JENIN - Hundreds of young men are trying to elbow their way onto the line in the courtyard of the Muqata, shouting, pushing closer to the window where they get the forms to sign up for the Palestinian police. For a moment it seems like a brawl would break out. It is not every day that the average young man in Jenin finishes high school and has a chance to win a job with a steady salary from the Palestinian Authority as a member of the National Security force. Ahmed Agbariyeh, from Taibeh in the Jenin area, says he has come to join up, together with six of his friends from the same village. "I'm unemployed and here I can eat and get about NIS 1,200 to NIS 1,400 a month." That is a considerable sum, in Palestinian terms. His family, he says, encouraged him. He is not worried about leaving home, nor do the demands of basic training under the broiling Jericho sun phase him. In contrast to Ahmed, Mohammed Abadi's family do oppose his signing up. "They're worried about me" Abadi, 18, from Yabed, tells Haaretz. "I'm the youngest," he adds. Abadi's father is a retired teacher. Like the other young men waiting at the Muqata, Abadi wants to make a living. Advertisement Not everyone will get in. The commander of the National Security force in Jenin, Suleiman Omran, explains that candidates have to be at least 1.75 meters tall. The former chairman of the PLO, Yasser Arafat, might not have agreed to that criterion. In two days, the boys will undergo more tests in Jericho. "First, there are medical tests," Omran says. "If the candidate's physical condition is satisfactory, he will be sent to another committee to assess his personality. Then, his name will be given to the intelligence branches to find out whether there are 'problems' in his background.'" What are 'problems'? If he has a criminal record or is "a member of this or that political organization," the candidate will be rejected, Omran says . The candidates also undergo a physical fitness test. Only half of those who sign up make it to basic training, which lasts about three months. Of those who make it in, about a quarter drop out, Omran says. "If someone is cheeky or does not follow orders, he will not last," Omran notes. The call for candidates went on in other cities as well, as part of the effort by commanders of the PA security forces to reform their forces and bring in new blood. Omran sounds enthusiastic about the changes he expects, but does not hide his criticism of the Israel Defense Forces commanders he meets with frequently. "I'll give you an example. Last night, about 3 A.M. a van with yellow [Israeli] plates crashed into a wall of the Bank of Palestine, about 200 meters from here. I couldn't send even one soldier because we're not allowed to operate in the city after midnight according to the agreement with the IDF. "I asked the civilian police to check it out, but they were afraid; they thought it might be your undercover unit," he told Haaretz. "We decided to wait until 6 A.M. when we're allowed to operate again. To send out a patrol, I had to wake up the Palestinian liaison unit, who had to contact with their Israeli counterparts, who had to wake up the Israeli sector commander, who would check whether they were his people or not. If this was a criminal or security matter, the suspects would be long gone," Omran says. Omran says the PA security forces are working energetically against armed men in the sector. "I'll arrest anybody who dares move around with a rifle, even our own intelligence people," he says. "We've given every bomb we've found to the Israeli side, we've prevented attacks and they know it," he adds. But Israel and the U.S. say you're letting Hamas and Jihad activists go. "In Israel they forget that we also have laws and I have to bring every suspect to a remand hearing within 24 hours. Suspects are often set free on bail. Other times, I let people out after they agree to give us information. So Israel comes and arrests them. "The head of your Shin Bet security service, [Avi] Diskin, says the PA can't even keep the traffic laws. You visit Jenin and you see yourself that's not true. It's as safe here as in Tel Aviv," he says. Perhaps, depending where in Tel Aviv. Related articles: PA Police seize 40 bombs in militant stronghold in Nablus Hundreds of PA police arrive in Nablus to impose law and order EU advisers to PA police seek $221 million for training, prisons Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.

Today Online Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area Responses: 202 Yishai: Israel must negotiate with Hamas over Shalit release Responses: 125 Editorial: Peace talks, even on Jerusalem, must be secret Responses: 43 MK Swaid: Demolition of Arab homes will lead to an explosion Responses: 44 More Headlines 21:34 Israeli kills Palestinian knifeman in attempted West Bank attack 01:40 Barak heeds Rice request, reverses course to back PA border proposal 21:54 Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area 00:17 Abducted soldier's mother: PM must pay price to retrieve them 23:09 Amir Peretz to Ehud Barak: Who would want to vote for you? 23:51 IDF tracker charged with 'aiding Hezbollah in war against Israel' 16:30 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 19:40 Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers 20:06 Once a week, the gift of human dignity 21:28 Barak allots NIS 30M more for security in frontline communities 23:04 Law sets 3-year jail penalty for car-owners who go to mechanics in PA 18:52 Rights group demands gov't stop demolishing Bedouin homes 17:39 Mazuz rejects call to indict Netanyahu over London spending spree Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

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