Palestinian police officers (archives)
Photo: Reuters
PA officers secretly visit Rabin Center
Palestinian security officials from West Bank ask to keep museum tour discreet, receive headsets with Arabic translation and show interest in slain prime minister's military legacy
Palestinian securityofficers from the West Bank participated in a special tour of the Rabin Center in Tel Aviv
on Thursday, the same week Israel
commemorated the assassination of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
The tour was initiated by the IDF as part of the ongoing attempt to strengthen the cooperation between the Palestinian Authority security forces, realized in joint military operations to prevent West Bank terrorism.
The Palestinian officials arrived at the museum accompanied by Civil Administration head Brigadier-General Yoav 'Polly' Mordechai and Judea and Samaria Division commander Brigadier-General Nitzan Alon.
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The 10 Palestinian guests received headsets with Arabic translation while visiting the museum and learned about Rabin's life story – his days as IDF chief of staff, defense minister, prime minister and their mortal enemy and the man remembered for saying "break their bones". Some of the tour participants actually spent some time in Israeli prisons.
The Palestinians feared that news of the visit would be leaked to the media, and requested to keep a low profile on order to prevent any harm that might come their way, but their presence was felt.
At the end of the tour, the Palestinian entourage was taken to a restaurant at the Azreli Center, from where it is possible to view the General Staff headquarters.
According to IDF officials, the Palestinian officers took great interest in the museum exhibits and in Rabin's role at a military leader. This special tour, according to those officials, is proof of the excellent bond developed lately between both sides. IDF representatives have visited a few cities in the West Bank recently for security and civilian matters.
Israeli security forces officials mentioned that the Palestinian security forces have been very helpful in deciphering terror attacks that took place two months ago in the West Bank.
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