Blinken pressed Abbas to agree to US security plan for Jenin and Nablus

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Secretary of State Tony Blinken meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Photo: Majdi Mohammed/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of State Tony Blinken urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to and implement a US security plan aimed at restoring Palestinian Authority control over the cities of Jenin and Nablus, which have become centers of unrest in the occupied West Bank, US and Israeli officials told Axios. .

Leading the news: The Biden administration is looking for ways to de-escalate the situation in the West Bank and prevent it from deteriorating into a third intifada.

US and Israeli officials say they see diminishing PA security scrutiny as a key reason for the escalation. Abbas, meanwhile, blamed Israel and the “lack of international efforts to dismantle the occupation”.

Catching up fast: The PA and its security forces have been weakened over the past three years, particularly in the northern West Bank where they lack popular support due to a lingering economic crisis, alleged corruption and the lack of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. peace process.

This led to the PA losing control of Jenin and its refugee camp, which are now mainly controlled by armed groups affiliated with Islamic Jihad and Hamas, as well as Fatah members who do not adhere to the direction of the PA. more control in Nablus, but armed militias that are not affiliated with any political faction are also gaining a foothold, especially among young Palestinians. Both towns have seen an intensification of Israeli military raids over the past year. Many of the Palestinians who have carried out recent attacks against Israeli soldiers and settlers, as well as citizens inside Israel, have come from these two cities. Israeli officials say the Israeli army carries out raids in Jenin because the PA security forces themselves do not. Palestinian officials say the Israeli incursions are eroding their ability and legitimacy to act against the militias.

Latest: In the days leading up to Blinkens’ visit, the West Bank saw the most serious escalation in more than a decade after the Israeli army killed 10 Palestinians in a raid on the refugee camp of Jenin Thursday.

Most of those killed were armed members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but an elderly woman was also killed and at least a dozen civilians were injured. Hours after the raid, the PA suspended its security coordination with Israel, raising fears that the situation in the West Bank could deteriorate further. A day later, a Palestinian in East Jerusalem killed seven Israelis outside a Jerusalem synagogue in what was the deadliest attack on Israelis since 2008.

Behind the scenes: When meeting with Abbas in Ramallah on Tuesday, Blinken stressed that one of the most important steps the PA must take to defuse the security situation is to agree and implement a security plan drafted by US security coordinator Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, US and Israeli officials said.

According to US and Israeli officials, the Fenzels plan outlines how Palestinian security forces can regain control of the northern West Bank, primarily in Jenin but also in Nablus. The plan includes the formation of a special Palestinian force to be deployed in the area to counter the militias, the officials said. Fenzel presented his plan to the Israeli government and the PA several weeks ago.

While the Israelis supported Fenzel’s plan, the Palestinians had many reservations, US and Israeli officials said.

Palestinian officials told Fenzel the plan was problematic because it did not include any demands from Israel, such as decreasing IDF incursions into Palestinian towns, different sources said. According to the sources, the Palestinians also claimed that the plan does not take into consideration the Palestinian Authority’s need to gain public support for such an operation. respond to requests for comments. The State Department declined to comment.

Blinken also urged Abbas to resume security coordination with Israel.

Egypt and Jordan also did so and called on the PA to take steps to improve the security situation in the West Bank. Shortly before his meeting with Blinken, Abbas hosted the Egyptian and Jordanian intelligence chiefs.

What they’re saying: In a press conference at the end of his trip, Blinken said without giving further details that there were “concrete ideas on both sides which, if pursued, would really help to defuse the current situation”.

“The immediate task is to defuse this cycle of violence. Neither side should take unilateral action which, at this time, could potentially fuel a fire,” Blinken said.

Watch: Blinken said he asked Barbara Leaf, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, and Hady Amr, special representative for Palestinian affairs, to stay in the region to discuss “constructive ideas on practical steps each side can take to lower the temperature, foster greater cooperation, enhance people’s security.”

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