The IDF Spokesman responded to Makor Rishon's report that armed PA police will be deployed in eastern Gush Etzion, saying the activities of the Fatah men will be monitored and that they are not expected to attack Jewish motorists.
"The opening of the Palestinian police stations in Arab Tekoa and in Sa'ir are part of the framework in which twenty police stations are being opened all over the IDF central command region. The activity of those police stations will be monitored by the IDF. The Tekoa police station will not be overlooking the main Gush Etzion-Dead Sea road because the police station building will be located deeper inside the village and the Palestinian policemen who will man the station will only be allowed to act inside the village."
The spokesman went on to explain that the reason the Fatah men had to be armed "is only so they will be able to defend themselves against Palestinian criminals and in order for them to better carry out their mission."