"There is agreement on the plan, but right now there is no political
will to make any decisions that will eliminate any of the security
agencies," an official said.
[On Nov. 17, the Israeli daily Maariv reported that the PA has been
granted full security responsibility for Nablus. The report said the Israeli
military would allow PA security forces to operate 24 hours a day in the
northern West Bank city rather than be restricted by a 1 a.m. curfew.]
The strategic plan was meant to outline reorganization and doctrine for
the security forces from 2011 through 2013. Officials said the third and
last draft of the proposal was completed in February but failed to
win the approval of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam
Fayad.
Under a 2005 law, the security forces were ordered merged into three
branches. The Palestinian Security Forces Services Law also defined the
rights and obligations of personnel.
But the law was never implemented. Officials cited the 2005
legislation's failure to demarcate responsibility, particularly between PSA
and MI.
As a result, officials said, PSA, GI and MI have been in constant
competition. The police, with 8,000 officers, have been engaged in a rivalry
with NSF, reported to have 7,000 personnel.
Officials said they could not be certain when the final draft of the
Security Sector Strategic Plan would be completed and approved. They said
Western donors, including the United States, have raised the question with
PA senior officials.
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