The Jews of Hevron are alarmed by reports that Israel is considering giving the Fatah-PA "police" greater responsibility in Hevron and reducing the IDF presence in the City of Patriarchs. The Jewish Residents' Council in Hevron said Wednesday that "the idea of transferring security control of Hevron to the Tanzim and Fatah gangs is another delusional and sick idea that only a directionless and immoral government could have thought up."

The PA reportedly asked for greater control in Hevron out of fear that Hamas will take over the city when Mahmoud Abbas's term as PA chief ends in January 2009.