P.A. police protect errant Israeli officer

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Palestinian Authority policemen protected an Israeli army officer who wandered into a West Bank city by accident.

The Israeli major drove into Jenin in a military vehicle Monday after an apparent navigation error, and was immediately surrounded by angry Palestinians, including gunmen. But local plainclothes police loyal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas spirited him out to an Israeli checkpoint on the city’s outskirts. The officer’s car was heavily vandalized.

The Islamic Jihad terrorist group accused the Palestinian Authority of “collaboration” with the Israelis.

In Jerusalem, security officials voiced satisfaction at the thwarted lynching, saying it reflected on the Palestinian Authority’s desire to cooperate with Israel on achieving West Bank calm following the fall of Gaza to Hamas.

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