A Palestinian Army – Now or Later?

Ismail Haniyeh expressed Hamas’ objection to Abu Mazen’s intention to transfer the responsibility for the security forces from the cabinet to the office of Palestinian Authority chairman (Arnon Regular, Ha’aretz, 2/5/06). Immediately after the elections, Khaled Mash'al proposed the establishment of a “Palestinian Army” (Arnon Regular, Ha’aretz, 1/29/06).

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Following that, Israel is forced to re-examine its opposition regarding the establishment of a Palestinian army, which is the basis for the principle of de-militarization.

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What is the Issue?​

• ​On the one hand, the principle of de-militarization of the Palestinian entity –

  • The opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian army stems from the principle of de-militarization of the Palestinian entity in permanent status.

  • However, the principle of de-militarization has been eroded following the Rafah Agreement, in which Israel ceded control over the external perimeter of the PA, and due to other developments (See the paper “A Militarized Palestinian State”).​​​

• On the other hand, dismantling terror infrastructure –

  • The victory of Hamas appears to have negated any chance of dismantling the military wing of Hamas as required by the First Phase of the Roadmap and promised by Abu Mazen.​

  • Therefore, it appears that the sole way to dismantle the military wing of Hamas is through its inclusion in the security forces of the PA.

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