Palestinian police now in Jerusalem suburbs after Israel ban

After years of Israeli objections, armed Palestinian police in dark blue uniforms have taken up positions in this lawless West Bank suburb of Jerusalem, highlighting the shared interests of Israel and the Palestinian self-rule government on day-to-day issues even when political tensions run high. The officers hope to catch scores of fugitive criminals and break up a rampant trade in drugs and stolen cars in three Arab areas on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The criminal activity, some in Arab-Jewish partnerships, routinely spills over into Israel, with most cars stolen there and some drugs sold in Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Local residents cheered the decision.

Crime has no color. It can harm us and them.

Adnan Damiri, a spokesman of the Palestinian security forces

The long-running absence of regular law enforcement in Abu Dis and other Arab suburbs of Jerusalem is linked to the turbulent history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Political animosity runs high, with the two sides poised for a possible showdown at the U.N. Security Council and the International Criminal Court. Following the re-election of hard-line Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prospects seem faint for renewing peace talks. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the self-rule government, is under domestic pressure to halt cooperation between his troops and Israel against his Islamic militant rival Hamas.

World israel palestinian