Residents welcome PA policemen in Jerusalem village

Israel has regularly banned the PA from carrying out any political or security activities in east Jerusalem.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
A view shows the Israeli barrier as buildings are seen in Kfar Aqab on the outskirts of Jerusalem, near the West Bank City of Ramallah, November 7, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)
A view shows the Israeli barrier as buildings are seen in Kfar Aqab on the outskirts of Jerusalem, near the West Bank City of Ramallah, November 7, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)
Residents of the Palestinian neighborhood of Kufr Aqab in northern Jerusalem said on Sunday they were relieved at the deployment of Palestinian policemen in their area after three residents were killed there in a family dispute.
Most of Kufr Aqab is located within Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries and the majority of its residents hold blue Israeli ID cards making them permanent residents of Israel, and officially, the area falls under Israeli control.
It was not clear on Sunday night how long the Palestinian policemen would remain in the densely-populated neighborhood.
A small part of the neighborhood that is located in the West Bank, is controlled by the Palestinian authority. Kufr Aqab is located beyond the security barrier and its residents have to pass through the Qalandiya border crossing and other checkpoints when commuting to and from Jerusalem.
Palestinians have moved to Kufr Aqab over the past two decades due to a severe housing shortage in east Jerusalem, and the absence of Israeli law-enforcement officers has allowed many residents to build or expand homes without obtaining a permit from the Jerusalem Municipality.
Israel has regularly banned the PA from carrying out any political or security activities in east Jerusalem in accordance with Israeli law that prohibits Palestinians from carrying out such activities in any part of Israel, including east Jerusalem.
On Saturday afternoon, three members of the large al-Rajabi clan were fatally shot during a confrontation with other members of the family. The victims were identified as Adnan al-Rajabi, Haitham al-Rajabi and Issam al-Rajabi. Seven other people were injured, according to local residents and a number of vehicles and businesses were set on fire, they said.
Although all the victims and others involved in the incident hold Israeli ID cards, Israel decided to allow PA security forces to send a large security detachment to Kufr Aqab to investigate and to apprehend suspects.
In the past, Israel has allowed PA security forces to temporarily operate in Kufr Aqab and other east Jerusalem neighborhoods behind the security barrier, especially to break up clashes between families to fight crime.
A PA security official said that Israel initially refused to allow the Palestinians to dispatch a force to the neighborhood, but later changed its mind.
“We entered Kufr Aqab in coordination with the Israeli authorities,” the official said. “So far, we have arrested two suspects and we are making a big effort to calm the situation.”
Kufr Aqab residents said that Israeli policemen and soldiers rarely enter their neighborhood, except when they come to arrest Palestinians suspected of security offences.
Anarchy and lawlessness are part of daily life in Kufr Aqab, which many residents jokingly call kufur ajab (wonder village).
“Kufr Aqab is an independent enclave,” schoolteacher Maher al-Natsheh told The Jerusalem Post.
“Israel does not want us, and the Palestinian Authority is not here. This has resulted in a rise in crime and weapon-trafficking. Almost every family here has a pistol or an automatic rifle.”
Another Kufr Aqab resident, Ayman Salaymeh, told the Post that the time had come for Israel to allow Palestinian security forces to have a permanent presence in the neighborhood.
“Our problem is that we are located on the other side of the Israeli barrier and that’s why we don’t get many municipal, or any police, services,” he said.
“The number of people living in Kufr Aqab is estimated at more than 80,000 and most of them hold Israeli ID cards and pay taxes to Israel and the Jerusalem Municipality. If Israel doesn’t want, or is afraid to enter Kufr Aqab, why not allow the Palestinian police to enforce law and order and fight crime?”
Kufr Aqab is not the only Jerusalem neighborhood beyond the security barrier. Others include parts of Ras al-Amoud, Shayyah, Qalandiya, Samiramis, Shuafat refugee camp, Ras Khamis and Anata. According to various statistics, more than 100,000 east Jerusalem residents live in these neighborhoods, which have been effectively cut off from the city and the rest of Israel.
“We are delighted that Israel permitted the Palestinian security forces to enter Kufr Aqab,” said a member of the neighborhood’s local council.
“Many residents welcomed the arrival of the Palestinian police force and cooperated with them. When it comes to fighting crime and enforcing law and order, we need to put aside out political differences.”


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