Why is Israel allowing armored jeeps into the West Bank?
After a four-year ban, Israel has now agreed to allow the Palestinian Authority to import armored vehicles in light of the deteriorating internal security situation in the West Bank, which worries the PA.
The West Bank is lacking security and stability following armed clashes between Palestinian security forces and gunmen deployed in refugee camps — most recently on Nov. 18 in Fara refugee camp in Tubas city, in the northeastern West Bank.
In light of this security tension, Israel agreed Dec. 6 to allow the entry of armored vehicles from Jordan to the West Bank to be handed over to the Palestinian security services, after having prohibited the entry of such vehicles for four years, during which Israel only approved the acquisition by the Palestinian Authority (PA) of anti-riot light weapons. The armored vehicles were received in the presence of Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian officers.
