From a report in the Jerusalem Post by
The Palestinian Authority’s security forces include many thugs and gangsters responsible for the ongoing state of anarchy and lawlessness in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip, PA Interior Minister Gen. Nasser Youssef has told Palestinian legislators. Speaking at a closed meeting of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah last Thursday, Youssef also revealed that some of the PA’s security forces had direct relations with foreign intelligence services.
Youssef, who is in charge of the Palestinian security forces, was speaking during a special PLC session called to discuss increased lawlessness and anarchy in PA-controlled areas.
Several legislators complained that the PA security forces had failed to enforce law and order in many areas, especially in the Gaza Strip, where gunmen belonging to various groups have taken control.
Over the weekend, gunmen belonging to the Popular Resistance Committees, an alliance of Palestinian groups, fired twice at the home of Rashid Abu Shabak, commander of the PA’s Preventative Security Service. The gunmen also fought street battles with members of Abu Shabak’s forces in
Gaza City. . . . * * *
Gen. Youssef pointed out that there were large amounts of weapons in the hands of Palestinian groups and individuals — a fact that contributed to the state of lawlessness and chaos. He said his ministry was trying to deal with the phenomenon, taking into consideration the sensitive fact that many of these weapons were in the possession of Palestinians who are on
Israel’s list of wanted terrorists.
’s report from the day before, on the lawlessness and anarchy under the PA, ends with this gem:
On the eve of the visit [of Condoleezza Rice this coming week], Abbas decided to form a special committee to fight rampant corruption in the PA. The committee, which is headed by legislator Ibrahim Abu al- Naja, is authorized to question any PA official about illegal profiting and corruption allegations.
Wow, a committee. And authorized to ask questions. To “fight” corruption.
Read the entire official text (all three sentences) of Abbas’ “presidential decree” — which unfortunately omits the part about being able to ask questions. Probably just an oversight.
The committee will undoubtedly grill the officials — maybe while Condi watches! — as long as they aren’t on Israel’s list of wanted terrorists, since Abu al-Naja’s last job, as head of the “Higher Committee of National and Islamic Forces” in Gaza, was to bring 350 Palestinian gunmen from Hamas and Islamic Jihad (all on Israel’s list of wanted terrorists) into the PA security forces last February because of a certain "sensitive fact:"
"The fugitives who will join the security forces belong to all the Palestinian groups and factions," Naja said. "The move is designed to protect them against Israeli assassination attempts."
According to Naja, who heads the Higher Committee of National and Islamic Forces in the Gaza Strip, the fugitives included members of the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad – Izzaddin Kassam and Al-Kuds Brigades. The two groups are responsible for most of the suicide bombings and rocket attacks against Israeli targets over the past four years.
"The Palestinian Authority does not distinguish between the wanted men," he said. "They are entitled to join the security forces because of their involvement in the resistance."