Palestinian forces told not to attack Israelis: 'Peace is the only way'
RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has issued orders to security
officers to refrain from attacks on Israel.
Officials said the PA Interior Ministry has reiterated orders to all
security forces meant to block an attempt by their officers to attack
Israeli soldiers or civilians in the West Bank. They said the orders were
renewed in the wake of the Feb. 10 killing of an Israeli soldier by a PA police
officer. The Palestinian assailant and the Israeli victim were said to know
each other.
"These are permanent orders," Maj. Gen. Diyab Al Ali, commander of the
PA National Security Forces, said.
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In a briefing, Al Ali said NSF has succeeded to prevent hostile attacks
on Israelis in the West Bank. He said NSF was intent on cooperating
with the Israeli military as part of a program to develop the 8,000-man
unit.
"There is no other choice," Al Ali, 66, said. "Peace is the only
choice."
NSF has been the focus of a U.S.-financed training program for PA
security forces. More than 2,000 NSF officers have undergone a four-month
training program in Jordan.
Al Ali said NSF was hampered by a severe shortage of weapons and
equipment. He said PA security forces possess 3,000 semi-automatic weapons
for more than 20,000 officers.
"It's not easy, but there's nothing that we can do," Al Ali said.
