For the first time in eight years, Israel has allowed Israeli drivers to enter the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Jenin. Several hundred Arab citizens of Israel drove into Jenin on Saturday, and were warmly welcomed by city officials.
Arab citizens of Israel have been allowed to enter Jenin for the past several months, but until now, have only been allowed to travel to the city on buses designated for the purpose.
The move to allow private Arab drivers into the city is part of an initiative to improve the PA economy that has been aggressively promoted by European Union officials and by Quartet envoy Tony Blair. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has expressed support for the “economic peace” initiative as well.