Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., May 31, 2008 Iyyar 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:41 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

PA forces patrolling Jenin refugee camp earlier this month (AP) Last update - 06:00 27/05/2008 Israeli source: PA security forces have improved dramatically in West Bank By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: West Bank, security, PA  The Palestinian Authority's security forces are becoming increasingly successful in their operations in the West Bank, according to a senior Israeli security source. Indeed he said their performance has so improved that, contrary to the fears of many senior Israeli officials, an Israeli pullout from the West Bank would not automatically result in Hamas being able to take over the area shortly thereafter. But according to the same source, one area in which the PA security forces have not been sufficiently effective is in combating what he termed "the terrorist infrastructure" in the West Bank. "They hesitate to outlaw Hamas. They arrest Hamas and [Islamic] Jihad militants, but a short while later they release them," he said. "There is no follow-through in the way they deal with those they arrest: They are not tried, they are not jailed. They are still not dealing with the root of the problem, not even in Jenin, where a large-scale PA security operation is taking place." Advertisement The source said that the Palestinians have significantly improved their cooperation with Israel, and especially in matters pertaining to an agreement under which Israel offered immunity to wanted militants who surrendered their arms to the PA. A total of 438 Palestinian militants have so far joined the immunity scheme, he noted. In addition to surrendering their arms to the PA, the wanted militants are required to spend a set period of time in the confines of the PA security forces' compounds. They must also sign a contract disavowing terrorist activities. The source noted that the PA has outlawed 300 charity organizations, most of them affiliated with Hamas, and its security forces have stepped up their monitoring of imams in West Bank mosques. In addition, PA forces in Jenin recently arrested 37 suspected terrorists, including two Palestinian policemen, and 180 suspected criminals. "The various security organs are coordinating their activities with each other more than ever before," he said. "Moreover, in all West Bank cities, there has been a dramatic improvement in law and order and a drop in crime." "In recent years," he continued, "the thing that bothered Palestinian civilians in the West Bank the most was the chaos, with regard to their own and their family's security: Would someone harass their daughter on her way home, or would someone accidentally shoot at their family, for example. Now, West Bank residents are concerned about the economic situation and their [lack of] freedom of movement in the territories." He also noted that since the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, the PA security forces have stepped up their operations in Areas C and B - parts of the West Bank where the Oslo Accords assigned security responsibility to the Israel Defense Forces. Even though some members of the PA security forces are still involved in terrorism, he added, "this is not a trend, and the commanders of the PA forces seek intelligence from us about such involvement." Related articles: In a sign of changing times, IDF and PA military officers meet to talk security Israel to transfer security in Jenin area to Palestinians PA to deploy nearly 500 armed police around Jenin Palestinian forces kill bystander in clash with Jenin gunmen Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the VIP If you want Olmert, pay for 'first class' hotels and flights. Don't mention the war The first to mention Nazis or the Holocaust automatically loses.   1.   West Bank security - SHOW ONLY! 05:42  |  The Archives 27/05/08   2.   Welcome news for moderates 06:21  |  B (The other one) 27/05/08   3.   haaretz is stepping up the PR for PA forces 07:09  |  CK Tan 27/05/08   4.   Not Lebanon or gaza, but a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria 07:34  |  Jean Van Daem 27/05/08   5.   the root of the problem is the occupation 09:40  |  John 27/05/08   6.   the information is a plant 09:51  |  amos 27/05/08   7.   PA must coexist with Hamas 09:53  |  Natallie Durson 27/05/08   8.   the left winger in the idf is a laugh a minute 09:57  |  amos 27/05/08   9.   "PA going easy on Hamas....." 10:07  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/05/08   10.   to CK kan 10:17  |  jhon 27/05/08   11.   Did the Israeli gov do the same in 1948? 11:02  |  A Bethlehemite 27/05/08   12.   amos harel another false dawn 11:04  |  amos 27/05/08   13.   #9, Dino, your post is total nonsense 11:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/05/08   14.   ISRAEL IS PREPARING A CIVIL WAR IN WEST BANK 12:02  |  indrajaya 27/05/08   15.   More HaAretz lies 13:40  |  Frank 27/05/08   16.   PA security forces have improved dramatically in West Bank 14:01  |  H. H. MENDELSOHN 27/05/08   17.   Israel`s "terrorist structure" the main problem 14:17  |  Chanalau, Tova 27/05/08   18.   Paying cash for security , until cash runs out 14:53  |  Sal 27/05/08   19.   # 9 Swiss.....there is already another Party 15:11  |  Lynn 27/05/08   20.   HAMAS showed no mercy to captured PA men 15:15  |  PETER SM 27/05/08   21.   Fatah=Hamas 15:31  |  Jean Van Daem 27/05/08   22.   #5 John - Netherlands 15:47  |  * BEN JABO 27/05/08   23.   Israel trains its enemy for the battle ahead 16:03  |  Jabadini 27/05/08   24.   # 19 Lynn 16:57  |  Swiss (Dino) 27/05/08   25.   Oh dear Lynn, Dino-Swiss isn`t `comfy` 18:20  |  x-ray 27/05/08   26.   One area they are not effective 19:07  |  KUTW 27/05/08   27.   The root of the problem 19:10  |  KUTW 27/05/08   28.   Immunity for the terrorists 19:12  |  KUTW 27/05/08   29.   5. John: right. The Arab occupation 19:16  |  KUTW 27/05/08   30.   Notice thier hats - Look like rolled up ski masks 18:42  |  * BEN JABO 28/05/08   31.   Natallie:People in general and arabs in particuliar need nobody 20:07  |  Arthur 31/05/08

Read & React Germany: Our role in Holocaust commits us to Israel Responses: 317 U.S. presses Israel to provide exit visas for Gaza students Responses: 328 Two migrant workers wounded in Qassam strike on Negev Responses: 234 Peres: If Assad wants peace, he should come to Jerusalem Responses: 125 Britain looked to Israel for lessons in military deception Responses: 108 Rosner's Domain The next seven months in the Middle East The J Street test for Congress members Will the international community abandon Lebanon? Poll: What political option is better for Israel? Senior advisor to presidential candidate: get used to nuclear Iran (WTR) More Headlines 20:31 Top Kadima MK calls for elections date to be set 20:39 Two migrant workers wounded in Qassam strike on Negev 18:54 Report: Hamas to accept gradual opening of Gaza crossings in truce deal 18:57 Assad aide denies reports of progress in Syria-Israel talks 17:10 Mother of MIA Goldwasser: Gov't too busy with primaries to free troops 18:55 Report: Israeli envoy blasts UN agency for inviting Ahmadinejad to summit 14:41 Analysis / Does Obama really have a Jewish problem? 19:27 Rights group to Hamas: Probe abductions of 'collaborators' 18:24 Egyptian police uncover weapons cache in Sinai 13:53 Olmert's memo: If you want me, pay for 'first class' hotels, flights 07:35 France vows to help Jordan develop nuclear technology 00:39 28 thoughts on politics, power and wisdom Previous Editions Select Day 30 may 29 may 28 may 27 may 26 may 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and You - together making history Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved