Once again, Israel is permitting armed PA (Palestinian Authority) security forces to patrol in areas of the eastern capital. The policemen will be clad in dark blue uniforms and are present in a number of very problematic areas. They are reportedly going to fight crime such as car thefts and drugs in cooperation with Israel Police.

It is explained that the lack of a police presence in some areas has resulted in lawlessness and anarchy and the PA forces are going to seek to change this reality. They are deployed for the first time since the so-called Second Intifada, when Israel ousted them from those areas.

Earlier this month Israel gave the green light for the deployment of 90 armed PA forces in Abu Dis, el-Azariya near Maale Adumim, A-Ram and Bidu.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)