Israel to Leave 4 West Bank Towns Soon
JERUSALEM — In the latest sign of budding cooperation, Israel's defense minister said Sunday that the army probably would withdraw troops from some West Bank cities in a matter of days, turning security over to Palestinian forces.
A pullback of Israeli troops from cities where they have operated during the nearly 4 1/2 -year-old conflict would meet a key demand of the new Palestinian leadership, which has impressed Israel by moving to quell the activities of armed militants in the Gaza Strip.
The transfer proposal comes amid preparations for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and newly elected Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, which is tentatively planned for next week. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to arrive Sunday for visits with both sides, Israeli media reported.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that specifics of the withdrawal would be ironed out with the Palestinians. An initial pullback could take place this week in four cities: Ramallah, Tulkarm, Kalkilya and Jericho, according to Palestinian sources cited by Israeli media.
Israeli officials said the withdrawal probably would be accompanied by the removal of roadblocks, which Palestinians complain inhibit their movements and choke their economy. Israel has said the roadblocks and checkpoints around Palestinian towns are needed safeguards against suicide bombers making their way into Israel proper.
Mofaz said Israel could remove troops from all Palestinian cities by year's end.
"We should take care that all the confidence-building measures, the transfer of responsibility and the security coordination shouldn't come at the expense of security," Mofaz told Israel Radio. "But at the same time, we are discussing with the Palestinian Authority all the issues which have to do with security coordination and the transfer of responsibility in the sense that the Palestinians will now fight against the terror and prevent it."
Even a limited Israeli withdrawal would restore to Palestinian forces some of the authority they had before the Palestinian uprising began in September 2000.
Under an interim peace agreement, the Palestinians were responsible for managing and policing the main population centers of the West Bank, but Israeli troops seized the cities after violence broke out. Soldiers have pulled back from the cities at times but reentered when new violence occurred.
