Officials: Diskin opposed giving arms to PA

Say Barak decided to give Fatah rifles and ammo despite recommendation of Shin Bet head.

By YAAKOV KATZ
PA police 248.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
PA police 248.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Defense Minister Ehud Barak's decision to transfer 1,000 rifles to the Palestinians last week was made against the recommendation of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin, defense officials said over the weekend. On Friday, The Jerusalem Post reported that Barak had allowed the transfer of close to 1,000 Kalashnikov rifles and some 10,000 bullets last week. The shipment was transferred to the West Bank via Jordan and was allowed as per the request of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayad. Barak's decision is part of Israel's campaign to assist Fatah forces in the West Bank in their efforts to quell Hamas attempts to build up a military wing there. Barak also recently allowed the PA to establish 20 new police stations in Area B, which is under Israeli security control. Defense officials said that in recent months Fayad's forces have cracked down significantly on Hamas charities and institutions, leading to concerns that the terror group may try to retaliate against the Palestinian Authority. "Hamas is very upset and already wants revenge," one official said. "The group may attack Fatah buildings but could also try and assassinate senior PA officials." In addition to the rifles, the Palestinians also asked to receive protective gear, such as bulletproof vests, as well as nigh-vision goggles. Israel denied the request. One top defense official said that Diskin's opposition to the transfer stemmed from the Shin Bet's disappointment with the performance of PA security forces in the West Bank. "More rifles won't solve the problems with the Palestinian security forces," the official said. "They are not capable of cracking down on terror infrastructure mainly because they don't have good intelligence."