With the strengthening of the Islamic State among fundamentalists in the Arab world and elsewhere in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks on Nov. 13, questions are raised in Israel about the Palestinian ability to maintain security in the eventuality of a two-state solution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said on numerous occasions recently that in the case of a two-state solution, the Israel Defense Forces would remain in charge of West Bank security.
A senior Palestinian security official in Ramallah with much experience in the field told Al-Monitor, on condition of anonymity, “Netanyahu is daydreaming. With statehood we will be in charge of security in the West Bank and Gaza and we will do it better than the Israelis. Look at Israel, which, with all its superpower military might, has not succeeded in curbing terror, even today when it is sporadic; Israel is not able to fight some dozens of frustrated youths. And it has lost two wars to Hamas, according to any objective observer.”
He said that at the time of a two-state solution, Palestinian security will be willing to coordinate with Israeli counterparts (not the politicians) a strategy that would bring security to both sides. He added, “In the meantime, Israel must comprehend that the root cause of the violent Palestine resistance is the occupation; putting an end to it will enhance security.”
The security source said that detailed plans and strategies already exist when it comes to Palestinian security policy for a Palestinian state. These plans were presented to retired American Gen. John Allen when he came for security talks in 2013-2014 as part of the peace talks with Secretary of State John Kerry. They include an agreement for the demilitarization of the Palestinian state, while maintaining an armed police force for public order, a border police force and an anti-terror intelligence service. Along the Jordan River, the new future border with Israel, and also in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians are ready to have an international monitoring force headed by the United States, possibly with the participation of NATO and an Arab League force. Israel could partake in this force for a period not exceeding four years for monitoring purposes, not for occupation, the source said.
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