Hundreds of Palestinian Authority policemen deployed in a key West Bank town.
Between 450 and 600 members of various security forces loyal to P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas came to Jenin on Saturday as part of a law-and-order drive that Abbas hopes will boost U.S. and Israeli confidence in his administration.
Jenin has been a bastion of Palestinian terrorists and saw major fighting with Israeli forces in 2002, but in recent months has become more stable.
Palestinian Authority forces already have deployed in nearby Nablus and exercise some control in other areas of the West Bank such as Bethlehem.
Israeli officials say they expect the P.A. police to primarily fight crime, though the U.S.-led peace “road map” obligates Abbas’ administration to crack down on terrorists.
For now, Israel says it will maintain responsibility for its own security by keeping up military raids and other operations.
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