Israel allows PA security services to bring armored vehicles into West Bank

The vehicles entered the West Bank through Jordan with permission given by Israel.

MAY 21, 2019 21:15

A member of Palestinian security forces stands guard in Bethlehem, in the West Bank (photo credit: MUSSA QAWASMA / REUTERS) — A member of Palestinian security forces stands guard in Bethlehem, in the West Bank

(photo credit: MUSSA QAWASMA / REUTERS)

The Palestinian Authority has received armored vehicles from the United States after a long period during which it was not permitted to receive such vehicles, according to Ynet. Israel had denied requests to bring in the vehicles for years, due to the issue of tax money being used to pay the families of terrorists.

The Palestinian security services received ten armored vehicles from the US. Palestinian reports stated that the vehicles were transferred to the West Bank two days ago through Jordan, according to Walla.

כלי תקשורת פלסטיניים פרסמו תמונות של משוריינים, שהועברו לרשות מנגנוני הביטחון של הרשות הפלסטינית במתנה מהאיחוד האירופי. לפי הפרסומים, כלי הרכב הועברו לגדה המערבית דרך ירדן ובאישורה של ישראל (גור כפיר) pic.twitter.com/hcqLHYMZbW
— החדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) May 21, 2019

The transfer of the armored vehicles "was approved after a request by the Americans by former Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman and the prime minister over nine months ago," security officials said on Tuesday, Walla reported. The vehicles were supplied by the US four months ago.

The shipment arrives amid the clash between the PA and Israel surrounding the pay-for-slay policy and the PA's refusal to accept tax money from Israel after Israel began subtracting the payments the PA pays families of terrorists from the revenue.

For three months, tens of thousands of Palestinian security officers have been receiving only half their salaries because of the row, which has caused unrest in the security services.

Ynet claimed that Israel's decision to approve the transfer of armored vehicles may be intended to ease the criticism and frustration of the PA and to maintain security coordination.