New Study Warns Palestinian Authority Security Forces Have Become a Threat to Israel
A new study by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs reveals a serious security threat from the Palestinian Authority's (PA) security forces. Retired Lt. Col. Maurice Hirsch, a senior researcher at the center, told KAN Heritage that the force established under the Oslo Accords has exceeded its original mandate and now poses a real danger to Israel. Instead of a limited police force aimed at combating internal crime in the Palestinian territories, the PA security apparatus has grown to about 70,000 personnel. Hirsch noted that some members even train in artillery with the Pakistani army, raising questions about the intended targets of such capabilities.
Hirsch sharply criticized successive Israeli governments for failing to enforce Oslo provisions that gave Israel veto power over PA security appointments. He also highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the number of weapons authorized for the PA beyond the original limits. One fundamental assumption behind creating these security forces was that they would combat Palestinian terrorist organizations, but Hirsch called this premise false, stating they never fought terrorism as promised and that Israeli governments allowed their strengthening.
He warned against relying on outdated security concepts that collapsed after the October 7 attacks, emphasizing that the current calm in the West Bank is fragile and could lead to a violent outbreak if the PA collapses. Hirsch stressed that in the event of a large-scale armed assault from the West Bank, Israeli communities near the border and central Israel could be particularly vulnerable due to geographic proximity.
Hirsch has submitted the study's findings to government ministers, including members of the Security Cabinet, urging them to seriously consider its conclusions. He warned against waiting for a post-crisis inquiry and called for immediate action to address the threat. He urged decision-makers to reassess Israel's policy toward the PA security forces based on his professional assessment and the study's recommendations.
