US picks new Israel-PA security coordinator, as Abbas undertakes West Bank security crackdown
Egypt said pushing for resumption of peace talks; official says Egypt’s role will be the same regardless of next president
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The United States announced its appointment of Admiral Paul Bushong as the new security coordinator between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Saturday. He is set to replace Air Force Lieutenant General Michael Mueller in that post.
Like his predecessor, Bushong, previously a commander in Guam, will be responsible for beefing up the PA’s security infrastructure and overseeing the training of the PA’s security forces.
Hamas denounced Bushong’s nomination, calling it “a new measure to suppress the Palestinians” in the West Bank, Gaza’s Al-Resaleh reported.
Also on Saturday, the Palestinian Authority said it was undertaking “a large-scale security crackdown” in the Bethlehem, Nablus, and Hebron districts.
Recent incidents of lawlessness in the West Bank prompted the PA to interrogate security officers who may be connected to the death of the governor of Jenin, who died of a heart attack after gunmen shot at his home last month. About 50 people have been detained so far, Ma’an News reported.
Dozens of security officers, some of whom work for PA President Mahmoud Abbas, are also suspected of being tied to recent disturbances, Israel Radio reported.
Earlier on Saturday, Israel Radio quoted an unnamed high-ranking official who told London-based Al-Hayat that Egypt has been speaking with Jerusalem behind the scenes to try to invigorate Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The anonymous official added that Egypt feels it must play a role in reviving contacts, given the dangers of Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
He also said that Egypt will be involved in the peace process regardless of who is elected president.
The Times of Israel Community.