The United Nations and the Palestinian Authority are launching a placement project to provide professional training for Palestinian terror suspects recently pardoned by Israel,
Ynet has learned.
In a document sent Sunday by Palestinian Interior Minister Abed al-Razaq al-Yahiya to regional governors in the West Bank, he instructs them to establish groups to work with teams of professionals from the UNDP (United Nations Development Program). The UNDP is developing the program in conjunction with the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR).
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A team of experts is set to meet with each suspect individually as well as with their family members. After the evaluation, an individualized training program will be designed for each suspect.
The aim is to reintegrate the suspects in society and bring them back to normative civilian life, even though a large number of the suspects are members of the PA's various security forces.
Initial funding for the program will be provided by the European Union, with other organizations expected to contribute to the effort at a later date.
"I hope this project means that we will finally be able to be family men and professionals and provide for our families with dignity," one Palestinian terror suspect told Ynet.
Another Palestinian terror suspect said he hoped the amnesty agreement would not be a temporary one.
"I hope this marks a new beginning of a new life, and I hope the agreement will be accompanied by a serious diplomatic process that will affect the remaining wanted Palestinians and the Palestinian people in general," he said.
PA officials said they hoped the 200 terror suspects currently excluded from the deal would soon be added to it. Israel's reluctance to do so would hinder the Authority's security-related plans in the West Bank, they said.
"There cannot be a situation in which one person is pardoned while his fellow cell member continues to be hunted," a Palestinian security official told Ynet.
"Those who have been pardoned feel very uncomfortable and sympathize with their friends, but I hope this issue will be resolved soon."
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