Nazir Majally, Asharq Al-Awsat

BETHLEHEM, West Bank, 3 July 2003 — People rejoiced as Palestinian security forces returned to the streets of Bethlehem yesterday after Israel handed over responsibility for control of the town in the latest move to bolster the road map for peace. A jeep carrying six members of the preventive security forces wearing military uniform could be seen driving past the Church of the Nativity in the center of the city at around 4:00 p.m. (1300 GMT), its sirens blazing.

Scores of police in dark-colored uniforms also took up positions in the town after a Palestinian flag-raising ceremony over the local security headquarters. Some were seen carrying assault rifles while others had holstered weapons on their belts. The Israeli Army confirmed that the transfer of control had taken place.

“Responsibility for security matters has been transferred,” an army spokeswoman told reporters, saying the process had been completed. The handover was largely symbolic since no Israeli troops or armor have been permanently based in Bethlehem in recent weeks.

But the move gave yet further impetus to the US-backed peace road map following a meeting late Tuesday between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, which saw both sides voice optimism for the future.

A top Palestinian official also predicted the imminent release of 21 Palestinian political prisoners, a key demand of Abbas. Haj Ismail Jabr, head of Palestinian National Security forces in the West Bank, said among those whom Israel agreed to be released was Ahmad Saadat, secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Saadat is being held under international guard in the West Bank town of Jericho in connection with the October 2001 assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi, claimed by the PFLP.

The Bethlehem withdrawal came three days after Israeli troops pulled out of some reoccupied areas in the northern Gaza Strip and transferred policing duties there to the Palestinian services.

Israeli military radio reported that the latest security talks yielded an agreement for the rules of engagement to be tightened, with Israeli troops allowed to open fire only if their life is threatened. Israeli security sources said both parties had agreed to hold more talks in coming days.