PA forces cooperate with Shin Bet

[tinnypriv]

PA forces cooperate with Shin Bet
Ha'aretz, 4 November 2003

Despite the collapse of the Mahmoud Abbas government and the highly public lack of open communication between the Palestinian Authority and Israeli officials, for the last few months there has been growing cooperation between Palestinian security services and the Shin Bet in preventing terrorism inside Israel. The cooperation also has apparently led to the elimination of key Islamic Jihad and Hamas operatives.

The cooperation is confirmed by Israeli security officials, foreign diplomats operating on the ground in the territories, and sources in the Palestinian security services, who say that in recent weeks and months, far from the limelight, the cooperation between the Shin Bet and PA's security forces has resumed.

A significant number of the terror alerts that set off alarms in Israel are the result of information provided by the Palestinians, and not only independently collected Shin Bet intelligence.

...

Documentation of the cooperation is in Palestinian reports to the Americans and other foreigners, to prove there has been a change in Palestinian security services policies. More than 30 preventive actions were taken by the Palestinians between July 2 and October 9, says the document. These included locking up a female suicide bomber from the Tul Karm area, as well as a suicide bomber from the Jenin area. Most of the actions deal with the discovery of bombs ready for operations that were found by Palestinian security services in the Tul Karm, Bethlehem, Beit Jalla and Hebron areas.

...

All the PA security services still are wary of an open battle with the Islamic forces and fear arrest by Israeli forces. But senior officers in PA security services are no longer afraid to criticize Arafat and especially his management of the intifada, particularly after 9/11. They perceive security coordination as the key to preserving the option of an independent state. Dozens of them have signed the Ayalon-Nussiebeh petition, or the Geneva Accords, hoping that if there is calm on the ground it will lead to political progress that will put the ball in Israel's court.

...

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/356749.html

[bemildred]

1. Saw that yesterday.

It is interesting that it is occurring.
It is interesting that it is being made public.

[The Magistrate]

2. It Is An Encouraging Development, Sir

It is a practical step within the power of the Palestine Authority to improve the situation. There will doubtless be denunciation of it from radical quarters, but all others, on both sides of the matter, ought to salute it.

[drdon326]

3. Sounds good....but...

i once actually believed arafat had changed his ways
so i'll hold judgement.

"we wont get fooled again....."

[tinnypriv]

5. Well, apparently the guys held for the Gaza bombing were released (jpost)

So if you insist on wallowing in the misery, there ya go.

[bluesoul]

4. Great

Good news! Of course there will always be the doubters but then that won't stop peace from winning in the very end! :toast: :bounce: