http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/553082.html
Israel finally transferred security authority for Jericho to the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday, after a month of crisis-ridden negotiations. But due to yet another 11th-hour dispute, the formal handover took place only in the late afternoon. On Tuesday, the parties had agreed to make the transfer Wednesday morning, even though the agreement was still undergoing legal review in Israel and had therefore not yet been signed. But at the last minute, with the television cameras already in place, the Palestinians refused to go through with the ceremony until the document could be signed. There was also some last-minute haggling over the wording. Thus only several hours later did the transfer finally occur.
Following the handover, the Israel Defense Forces will no longer operate inside Jericho, and a checkpoint west of the city has been removed, enabling freedom of movement in the direction of Ramallah. However, checkpoints to the north and south will remain in place, though at the southern checkpoint, the IDF will only inspect outgoing traffic.
Moreover, the army has set up a new checkpoint northwest of the city, to prevent cars traveling the Jericho-Ramallah route from turning off onto Route 90, the Jordan Valley Highway, without inspection.
The PA also received authority over the nearby village of Uja, which straddles Route 90, and Palestinian policemen armed with pistols - though not rifles - will now patrol there. However, Israel will retain security authority over the stretch of Route 90 that passes through the village.
The PA promised to unify its security forces in Jericho, so that the IDF will be able to liaise with a single representative. The IDF pledged to stop pursuing 17 wanted men residing in the city, and they will be allowed to circulate freely within the city limits, on condition that they hand in their arms to the PA security services and remain under PA supervision.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has denied reports that he plans to free two of Israel's most wanted men, who are currently in a Jericho jail under British supervision: Ahmed Sa'adat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, whom Israel deems responsible for the murder of then minister Rehavam Ze'evi, and Fuad Shubaki, the alleged financier of the Karine A arms ship, which Israel intercepted en route to Gaza.
The IDF will continue to bar Israelis from entering Jericho, though Palestinian officials had said, off the record, that they would like Israelis to start visiting the city's casino again. However, this policy will be reconsidered in a month, at which time Israel will also consider easing the remaining movement restrictions on the city.
Israel has agreed to transfer a second city, Tul Karm, to the PA's responsibility next week, and Tul Karm is expected to be followed by Qalqilyah, Ramallah and Bethlehem. A senior IDF officer said that he expects the negotiations over these cities to be easier, as the compromises reached over Jericho can be reused.
Following the handover, the Israel Defense Forces will no longer operate inside Jericho, and a checkpoint west of the city has been removed, enabling freedom of movement in the direction of Ramallah. However, checkpoints to the north and south will remain in place, though at the southern checkpoint, the IDF will only inspect outgoing traffic.
Moreover, the army has set up a new checkpoint northwest of the city, to prevent cars traveling the Jericho-Ramallah route from turning off onto Route 90, the Jordan Valley Highway, without inspection.
The PA also received authority over the nearby village of Uja, which straddles Route 90, and Palestinian policemen armed with pistols - though not rifles - will now patrol there. However, Israel will retain security authority over the stretch of Route 90 that passes through the village.
The PA promised to unify its security forces in Jericho, so that the IDF will be able to liaise with a single representative. The IDF pledged to stop pursuing 17 wanted men residing in the city, and they will be allowed to circulate freely within the city limits, on condition that they hand in their arms to the PA security services and remain under PA supervision.
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has denied reports that he plans to free two of Israel's most wanted men, who are currently in a Jericho jail under British supervision: Ahmed Sa'adat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, whom Israel deems responsible for the murder of then minister Rehavam Ze'evi, and Fuad Shubaki, the alleged financier of the Karine A arms ship, which Israel intercepted en route to Gaza.
The IDF will continue to bar Israelis from entering Jericho, though Palestinian officials had said, off the record, that they would like Israelis to start visiting the city's casino again. However, this policy will be reconsidered in a month, at which time Israel will also consider easing the remaining movement restrictions on the city.
Israel has agreed to transfer a second city, Tul Karm, to the PA's responsibility next week, and Tul Karm is expected to be followed by Qalqilyah, Ramallah and Bethlehem. A senior IDF officer said that he expects the negotiations over these cities to be easier, as the compromises reached over Jericho can be reused.
