Almost 500 US-trained PA security forces on Saturday took up position in Jenin, joining the force of 150 already operating in the city.

The security personnel were trained in Jordan and are part of a three-month program intended to help clean up the area, reduce crime and also assist in combating terrorism.

Israeli officials are not too hopeful, expressing cautious optimism, but welcome the move that may contribute to reducing terrorism emanating from the autonomous area. This said, security officials have made it clear IDF forces will continue operating in Jenin if and when necessary, based on intelligence community information of planned anti-Israel terror.

In the meantime, visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called on Israel not to undercut the PA forces, signaling Israel America is expecting IDF forces to sit back and permit the PA forces to operate without impunity.

The PA forces arrived a number of days ahead of Memorial Day and Independence Day, with the intelligence community in Israel reporting many credible terror alerts. Last week, Chief of Military Intelligence Major-General Amos Yadlin warned cabinet ministers that terror organizations are planning a major attack to coincide with Thursday’s Independence Day celebrations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)