Israel
Army in secret talks to give PA security control over parts of the West Bank
March 17, 2016 11:47
Israeli generals have been holding secret talks on new security arrangements with the Palestinian Authority.
The two sides have yet to agree on the details, but this week's revelation in Haaretz of the existence of the discussions caused anger among ministers who had not been informed about them.
The talks were led by the commanders of Israeli forces in the West Bank and began following threats from the Palestinians that they would suspend the security coordination with Israel if it did not stop sending patrols into Palestinian cities.
Under the terms of the Oslo Accords signed 20 years ago, the responsibility for security in the main Palestinian cities (Area A) lies with the PA, but since the Second Intifada in 2001, Israeli forces have carried out operations against Palestinian terror organisations in Area A.
In recent years, many of these operations have been co-ordinated with the PA's security forces, which receive advance notice to leave areas where the Israelis intend to operate. However, this co-ordination has drawn growing criticism from the Palestinian public in recent months.
Palestinians have demanded an end to Israeli patrols
The Israeli generals were authorised to negotiate with their Palestinian counterparts by Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They proposed that as a "pilot", the IDF cease operations in Ramallah and Jericho, except for "ticking bomb" situations in which any incursion would be authorised at the highest levels.
If the Palestinian forces could prove they can keep control of the two cities, the arrangement would be extended to other cities.
Mr Netanyahu demanded that the Palestinians formally recognise Israel can still operate in the cities, a condition opposed for now by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The report on the secret talks in Haaretz caused an outcry from right-wing ministers. Immigration Minister Zeev Elkin complained on Army Radio that "it should have been discussed in cabinet". He consoled himself, however, that "the Palestinians, anyway, didn't miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, and turned it down".