BICOM

Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) yesterday signed an agreement to extend 3G network services to Palestinian mobile providers in the West Bank.

Under the terms of the 1990s Oslo Accords, Israel maintains control over radio frequencies and cellular networks in the West Bank. Until now, Palestinian mobile providers have either leased 3G frequencies from Israeli counterparts or made do with 2G services. However, Israel yesterday agreed to grant 3G frequencies to Palestinian mobile operators Paltel and Wataniya, with the service predicted to be operational within three to six months. The agreement however does not cover the Gaza Strip, which remains under the control of Hamas.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday morning by Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh and Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai. A statement by COGAT said that the frequencies were approved “after examination by the security establishment and the completion of professional staff work with the Israeli Communications Ministry.” Meanwhile, al-Sheikh commented that the agreement “will enable the companies benefiting from the service to begin coordination with the Palestinian ministry of telecommunication to begin the implementation of the agreement on the ground.”

Yesterday’s agreement comes amid a period of intense violence, which has seen 19 Israelis killed by Palestinian terrorists in mainly stabbing and vehicle attacks since the start of October. PA leaders have almost entirely declined to condemn the attacks.

However, during a meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington last week, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he wishes to find “practical ways to lower tensions, increase stability and move towards peace.” Yesterday’s agreement could be one such step. It is also thought that the confidence-building measure has been timed just a few days ahead of an expected visit to the region by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is believed to be scheduled to land early next week to discuss the current violence.