The Palestinian Authority could require up to $7.7
billion over its first decade to build an internal security capability, according to a new report which said that such systems are critical to the success of any
independent state.
The Rand Corp. has issued a report that said the establishment of a
Palestinian state depended on security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The report said Palestinian security forces must be reformed and
restructured. There are nearly 60,000 troops, who represent PA police,
security forces and intelligence services, Middle East Newsline reported.
The report said a Palestinian state must act against insurgency groups that
threaten both Israel and internal Palestinian security.
"The most pressing internal security concern for a Palestinian state
will be the need to suppress militant organizations that pose a grave threat
to both interstate security -- through attacks against Israel and
international forces -- and intrastate security through violent opposition
to legitimate authority," the report, entitled "Helping A Palestinian State,
Succeed," said. "Public safety and routine law enforcement — administration
of justice — will also need to be put on a sound footing as quickly as
possible."
The report urged donor nations to provide billions of dollars to
stabilize and secure any Palestinian state. Rand cited the need to help
build an independent judiciary and an "efficient law enforcement agency
capable of investigating and countering common criminal activity and
ensuring public safety."
"Both of these broad objectives would require funds for rebuilding
courthouses and police stations, legal texts, computers, forensic and other
training, and the kind of equipment that police need to carry out their
day-to-day patrolling duties," the report said. "A more comprehensive
program aimed at accelerating the reform process and creating a sense of
security for Palestinian citizens more swiftly would include deploying
international police and vetting and recruiting judges, prosecutors, and
police officers."
In all, the report said, a Palestinian state would require at least $600
million per year to build credible forces required for internal security.
Rand said the cost could run as much as $7.7 billion over a decade.
"As in the realms of counterterrorism and counterintelligence, internal
security requirements would demand restructuring the security services and
up-to-date equipment, monitoring, training, and analytical support," the
report said. "Depending on the severity of the domestic terrorist threat and
the speed with which Palestinian capacities develop in this area, a more
intensive program might be needed."
The report said the priorities of any Palestinian state would be
internal security, removing subversion or foreign exploitation. Rand said a
Palestinian state must not pose any threat to Israel and said such "conditions that have
been lacking since at least the start of the second intifada [uprising] in
2000."
"Palestinian statehood must improve the level of security for
Palestinians, Israelis, and the region," the report said.
