The London-based newspaper's report jibes with remarks made by Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz to The New York Times last week. "The moment they can take responsibility over certain areas," Mofaz was quoted as saying, "I am willing to give them this responsibility [for security] - it could be Gaza, it could be areas in the West Bank, population centers like Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Hebron."
The proposal has already been mentioned in exchanges between Prime Minister Sharon's and PA chief Abu Mazen's offices, the London paper reports. If Israel leaves the areas in question, it would be a staged withdrawal. First on the list would be Ramallah, followed by Bethlehem and Jericho, and then Kalkilye, Tul Karem and Hevron. The last stage, if the PA succeeds in repressing terrorism, would be terror-capitals Shechem and Jenin.
The PA is not yet ready or sufficiently organized to accept the offer, reports say.
Israel has already left and re-entered these areas several times over the past few years. The cycle usually begins with an Israeli withdrawal as a "gesture" to the PA, a period of quiet, renewed terrorism, and the IDF's return to the area in question.
The proposal has already been mentioned in exchanges between Prime Minister Sharon's and PA chief Abu Mazen's offices, the London paper reports. If Israel leaves the areas in question, it would be a staged withdrawal. First on the list would be Ramallah, followed by Bethlehem and Jericho, and then Kalkilye, Tul Karem and Hevron. The last stage, if the PA succeeds in repressing terrorism, would be terror-capitals Shechem and Jenin.
The PA is not yet ready or sufficiently organized to accept the offer, reports say.
Israel has already left and re-entered these areas several times over the past few years. The cycle usually begins with an Israeli withdrawal as a "gesture" to the PA, a period of quiet, renewed terrorism, and the IDF's return to the area in question.