"Abu Mazen's police are acting against agreements": Reservist arrested in Area C and his weapon taken
The soldier was arrested last night on the Beitunia bypass road on his way to the Dolev-Talmonim bloc. The Binyamin Council criticized the Civil Administration: "Instead of blaming the PA police, they blame the Israeli." The IDF response will be provided when received.
An unusual incident in western Binyamin: Palestinian Authority police officers arrested a reservist last night who was driving on his way to the Dolev-Talmonim bloc in the heart of Area C. During the incident, they took his military weapon from him. The soldier was not injured.
In the Binyamin Council, they are furious about the incident and claim that it is a serious violation of existing arrangements, according to which the Palestinian Authority has no authority to operate in Area C. The council also attacked the response of the Civil Administration, which they claim chose to shift the responsibility onto the Israeli soldier, arguing that he was driving in a dangerous area, instead of condemning the actions of the PA police.
Head of the Binyamin Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Israel Gantz, said that the incident illustrates the reality created on the ground:
"It is unacceptable that Abu Mazen's police act against the agreements in Area C, arrest a reservist and take his weapon – and the State of Israel blames the Israeli who was driving on the road."
Gantz called on the government to act to secure the routes used by the residents of the settlements and to open a safe route between the Dolev-Talmonim bloc and Highway 443. According to him, residents of the area must be allowed free and safe movement on the roads.
The incident joins the ongoing controversy surrounding the activities of the Palestinian Authority in Area C, which is under Israeli security and civil control as part of the Oslo Accords.
The IDF response will be provided when received.
