Israel Defends Decision to Arm West Bank Police

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Friday that Israel’s decision to let Palestinian police officers in the West Bank carry weapons again would help Palestinian authorities keep law and order.

Israel on Thursday agreed to a request by beleaguered Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Korei to allow the use of guns on a provisional basis.

“It will shore up the positive forces that want there to be order and who want to prevent anarchy in these places,” Mofaz said during an interview on Israel Radio.

But Israeli critics reacted sharply, predicting that the weapons would be used against the Jewish state.

“I don’t know what else needs to happen here before we understand that we are dealing with a bunch of murderers, terrorists. To restore their legitimacy and weapons? There is no greater madness than this,” said Zvi Hendel, a right-wing member of the Israeli parliament, or Knesset.

Mofaz did not say when Palestinian police would resume carrying arms. The program will be implemented in stages, he said, and can be reversed quickly if problems arise.

Israel barred Palestinian officers from carrying weapons in most of the West Bank more than two years ago out of concern that they would be used against Israeli troops. Palestinian officials and civilians have complained that the ban, along with frequent military incursions, has made it difficult for Palestinian police to keep order.

Korei wants to issue guns to his officers as part of a drive to improve security amid growing lawlessness, including abductions of foreigners and Palestinian police. Korei cited “chaos” when he submitted his resignation to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat last month. He later decided to remain in office after Arafat, who refused to accept his resignation, promised to give him more control over security matters.

This week, Korei announced a limited initiative that would send uniformed officers out in cruisers to create a more visible law enforcement presence in turbulent West Bank cities.

Only officers who Israeli security officials know have not been involved in militant groups will be armed, Mofaz said. The force’s weaponry will be limited to nightsticks and handguns, he said.

“We’re talking about clubs and pistols. We do not plan to give any permission to carry live weapons in places where civilians and soldiers will be endangered and certainly not get in the way of [Israeli military] activity,” Mofaz said.

Some skeptics questioned whether Palestinian police could stand up to militants wielding automatic weapons and heavier arms, such as rocket-propelled grenades.

“All the people engaging in chaotic incidents are carrying RPGs and AK-47s or M-16s,” retired Brig Gen. Herzl Gedz, who led a committee that coordinated security with the Palestinians, told Israel Radio. “Do they expect a policeman with a club and handgun to use these against his Palestinian brothers?”

In other developments, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli troops near the West Bank settlement of Ariel when he fled during an army search for suspected militants, a military spokeswoman said.

She identified the man as a member of Hamas who had been involved in bombings. A second man, identified by the Israeli military as a fugitive militant leader, was arrested.