Palestinian premier lives in E. Jerusalem, but is guarded by Palestinians

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad lives in East Jerusalem, but is guarded by Palestinian bodyguards. It is not known whether his guards are armed, though the guards themselves say they are not.

Fayyad and his family live in one of East Jerusalem's tonier Palestinian neighborhoods, Beit Hanina, a few minutes' walk from the Jewish neighborhoods of Pisgat Ze'ev and Neveh Yaakov. The house is guarded around the clock by Palestinian guards, themselves also residents of Jerusalem.

One guard, who identified himself only as Adnan, said that Fayyad lives there because his wife is a Jerusalem resident. An associate of Fayyad's said the couple has owned and lived in the house for 10 years - meaning since before he became the Palestinian Authority's prime minister.

However, neighbors said that only in the last year has he lived in the house full-time.

The neighbors said the guards are not members of the PA security services, but work for a private security firm advised by European Union experts. Fayyad pays for the guards himself, they added.

Both the Jerusalem police and the Shin Bet security service also keep an eye on Fayyad's house, though their security is less visible.

Fayyad travels to his office in Ramallah every day, and while in PA territory he is guarded by members of the PA security services.

When asked by Haaretz about the status of Fayyad and his guards in Jerusalem, the Prime Minister's Office said inquiries should be directed to the interior and defense ministries.

The Interior Ministry said that "since this is a policy issue, the Interior Ministry has no authority to answer the question; it should be directed to the Prime Minister's Office."

No response was obtained from the Defense Ministry as of press time last night.

Fayyad's aide, Jamal Zakut, said he has never heard any Israeli complaints that Fayyad's residence in East Jerusalem violates Israel's sovereignty over the city. Beyond that, he declined to comment.