Israel is set to approve a request by the Palestinian Authority to purchase helicopters to transport its top officials, according to a "Haaretz" report released Friday.
The Israeli daily, Israeli security chiefs had objected to the prospect over the year, citing security concerns, however, Abbas has recently renewed the request through the US administration.
The defense establishment reviewed the matter and officials are now in favor of approving this request, as part of an effort to bolster PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s standing within the PA, the report said.
Jordan provides Abbas with a helicopter when he needs to travel, provided by Israeli approval for entrance and exit into and out of Israeli airspace.
Officials usually use the Jordanian crossings and Amman Airport, and sometimes certain officials are allowed to use Ben Gurion Airport.
Former PA president Yasser Arafat used to travel in a private helicopter.
Following the Oslo Accords, an airport was built in Gaza, and the possibility of the reoperation Qalandia Airport, north of Jerusalem, was discussed.
However, the Israeli army destroyed the Gaza airport during the invasion in 2002, in retaliation for the outbreak of the second intifada.
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government banned trips from Jerusalem Airport and planned to build a Jewish settlement instead including 7,000 housing units.
As part of the US-Palestinian talks, the Palestinians demanded the reoperation of the Palestinian airports.
Israel’s insistence to keep them closed is considered one of the measures that prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
