Snap judgement: Nablus is Safer since PA takeover

"The U.S. consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, visited Nablus on Wednesday for a first-hand look at the performance of the Palestinian security forces. Chaotic Nablus, once a militant stronghold, had been chosen as a test case by the Palestinian government, and 300 Palestinian police were deployed last month. "

 

How does he know? He went through the town on a guided tour surrounded by security people? Is this supposed to be a serious evaluation? Yes it is:

 

"The U.S. assessment matters because Washington will be the judge of whether Palestinians and Israelis are meeting their short-term peace obligations. For the Palestinian government, that mainly means disarming militants, while Israel is required to freeze settlements and dismantle settlement outposts. "

 

This is how performance will be judged? Give us a break.

 

Ami Isseroff

 

Last update - 18:49 14/11/2007
 Top U.S. diplomat: PA has improved Nablus security 

 

By The Associated Press 

 

 

Palestinian security forces have made some progress in restoring order in the West Bank city of Nablus, which was long ruled by gangs, a U.S. diplomat said after a tour Wednesday.

The U.S. assessment matters because Washington will be the judge of whether Palestinians and Israelis are meeting their short-term peace obligations. For the Palestinian government, that mainly means disarming militants, while Israel is required to freeze settlements and dismantle settlement outposts.

Palestinian negotiators say that while they have started meeting their security obligations, Israel has done nothing so far. Haaretz reported Wednesday that an Israeli delegation is heading to Washington to negotiate the terms of a partial settlement freeze with the Bush administration.



Under the U.S.-backed road map plan, which has been revived as part of current U.S.-led peace efforts, Israel is to freeze all construction immediately, and in parallel with a Palestinian security clampdown.

The U.S. consul general in Jerusalem, Jacob Walles, visited Nablus on Wednesday for a first-hand look at the performance of the Palestinian security forces. Chaotic Nablus, once a militant stronghold, had been chosen as a test case by the Palestinian government, and 300 Palestinian police were deployed last month.

"The Palestinian security forces have made some progress, and the condition in the streets is better," said Walles, who was accompanied by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Asked to comment on Israel's performance so far, he said: "Our position is that both sides need to meet their obligations."

Walles said the U.S. would spend $1.3 million on various aid projects in Nablus, including building and cleaning up schools and refurbishing a government ministry.

This week, Palestinian police arrested three local leaders of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, a violent offshoot of Fatah. The men were from the Balata refugee camp, a stronghold for group.

Residents of Nablus said they have felt a significant improvement in recent days and were encouraged by the arrests of gang members, including those who in the past enjoyed immunity because of their ties to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.

Downtown shopkeeper Ziad Abu Rateb, who voted for Fatah's rival, Hamas, in 2006 parliament elections, said he was impressed by the latest sweep. "Last night, they arrested one of the bloodiest gang leaders here," he said.

Palestinian officials complained that Israel is undermining the campaign by continuing arrest sweeps in Nablus. Early Wednesday, Israeli troops seized seven Palestinians in the city.

Israel says that it's too early to entrust its security to Palestinian police. In the past, scores of Nablus militants were involved in shooting and bombing attacks on Israelis.

 

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