Netanyahu says Israel preparing for PA forces to turn weapons against it, vows no Arab army west of Jordan River

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel is preparing for a scenario in which Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank turn their weapons against Israeli forces.

“We are prepared for any scenario, including what is known as a ‘turning of guns,’” Netanyahu said during a visit near Tulkarem, warning that Israel would respond with overwhelming force.

Netanyahu also said the Israeli military would continue to control the area. “There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River,” he said. “There will be the Israel Defense Forces.”

Palestinian Authority security forces have long maintained security coordination with Israel in parts of the West Bank, and attacks on Israelis by members of those forces have been rare.