Abbas appeals to Israel to allow the Fatah-affiliated Badr Brigades into the West Bank

Palestinian security forcestraining in Gaza (MaanImages)

26 June 2007

Jerusalem - Ma’an - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has requested that Israel allow the transfer of the Fatah-affiliated Badr Brigades from Jordan to the West Bank in order to bolster his powers after Hamas’ seizure of control in the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

"The Palestinians put in a request yesterday to transfer the Badr Brigade from Jordan to the West Bank," a senior Israeli government official told Reuters. "It is being evaluated and a decision will be made soon."

Israel is urging Abbas to reign in militant Palestinian factions in exchange for boosting his power in the West Bank. Israel is currently considering providing Abbas’ forces with arms and munitions in order to strengthen his position.

Abbas met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, during the meeting of Middle East leaders at the Red Sea resort of Sharm Al Sheikh, in the Sinai, in Egypt. Abbas attempted to garner support for his new emergency government from Israeli and Arab leaders.

Reuters reported that Abbas had originally intended to send the Badr Brigade to the Gaza Strip in order to prevent Palestinian combatants from firing rockets into Israel.

It has been reported that the Badr Brigade has less than 1,000 fighters, who are at various levels of training.

The brigades’ readiness for action against militant groups is debated.

Although Badr is considered to be loyal to Fatah, it also has strong ties to the Jordanian king.

Abbas intends the Badr Brigade to reinforce his presidential guards and other Fatah-affiliated security forces.

The United States has reportedly assisted with coordinating preparations for the deployment of the Badr Brigades.

Further Reading:

Abbas urges Olmert to release Marwan Barghouthi, reduce Israeli military presence in West Bank

'We've turned Fatah's downfall into opportunity for peace'