Haaretz - Israel rejects U.S. request to arm Palestinian police

[Englander]

Fri., April 29, 2005

Israel has rejected a proposal by the United States to supply the Palestinian police officers in the West Bank with weapons that would assist them in performing their duties.

American officials have told their Israeli interlocutors over the past few days that the Palestinian security forces need weapons to help them maintain order in the territories. In response, the U.S. officials heard a negative reply from Israeli officials: "Let them first take the weapons from the terrorists."

The Americans are assisting in training the Palestinian security forces, and are also interested in supplying them with appropriate materiel.

The American officials also had praise for the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), for the way he has handled himself since being elected. As an expression of their esteem, Abbas will be extended an invitation to the White House in the middle of May. Before then, he will meet with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

At all of his meetings with foreign dignitaries, Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef brings up the demand to arm the Palestinian police officers in the territories. Yousef says that it is difficult for them to enforce the law and safeguard security in the West Bank without weapons.

More at;
Haaretz

[IronLionZion]

1. How are the police supposed to stop terrorists

if they don't have equipment or training?

[Violet_Crumble]

2. I guess the problem is...

That with proper equipment and training, they actually can do something substantial in reining in militant groups. And that'd possibly be the last thing that Sharon would want, because then any time that nasty topic 'negotiations' pops up, he can't use the 'let them take care of their terrorists first before we talk to them about a state!!!' excuse...

Violet...

[eyl]

3. Or maybe the problem is

that every time we've given them weapons in the last decade, those weapons end up being turned at us?

[Violet_Crumble]

5. Every time?

How many times would that be, eyl?

And unless Israel is now another state of the US, this time it's about the US supplying Palestinian security forces with weapons...

Do you think the Palestinian security forces should be armed? If not, how do you propose they do what's being asked of them? If they're to stroll around unarmed, wouldn't that in itself be putting their lives in danger?

Violet...

[eyl]

7. Do you want me to start

listing the incidents of terrorism where Palestinian security forces were involved? And what has happened every time an area has been turned back to Palestinian security control?

[Violet_Crumble]

8. No, because that's not what I asked...

You said: "...that every time we've given them weapons in the last decade..." and I asked you how many times Israel has given weapons. I wouldn't mind a list for that one, but as I pointed out, this isn't a case of Israel giving anything, it's a case of the US doing it...

I also wouldn't mind you trying the question I asked about whether or not you think the Palestinian security forces should be armed, and if not, how do you propose that they do their jobs effectively and without putting their own lives at risk in doing so? Or are they supposed to skip up to militants throwing flowers around and ask them ever so sweetly to skip around and toss flowers in the air with them?

Violet...

[DemFromMem]

4. I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale

Doesn't this fall into the classic tin foil category of theories. Oh yeah, those Israelis love it when they're blown up or shot by a sniper. It is so helpful in advancing their PR agenda.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. No, it doesn't fall into that category...

Where did I say 'those Israelis love it when they're blown up or shot by a sniper'? Yr the one who said that. What I said was that Sharon isn't interested in negotiations with the Palestinians and will use any excuse he can to avoid it. Negotiations mean the possibility of a Palestinian state coming into being, and that will undo everything he's ever worked for. If that opinion is considered to be tin-foil category, hold onto yr hat while I pass the one by you about Sharon being a nasty right-wing politician who in the past has been accurately referred to as the godfather of the settlements...

Violet...