JERUSALEM — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel has reduced its security cooperation with Palestinians in the West Bank to protest their successful bid for upgraded status at the United Nations.
Israel's military denied the charge Friday and says security cooperation continuues.
Abbas said Israeli soldiers have started entering West Bank cities without Palestinian coordination. He spoke in a meeting with a dovish Israeli lawmaker and Israel's daily Haaretz.
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An Abbas aide, Tayeb Abdel Rahim, said Israel's army detained 200 Palestinian officers in recent months, mostly for short interrogations.
Israeli defense officials responded Friday that soldiers enter Palestinian cities only when they think Palestinians are not providing enough support. They spoke anonymously in line with government regulations.
Israel earlier suggested the possibility of reducing security cooperation in retaliation for the Palestinian U.N. campaign.
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