Report: General Dayton Stepping Down

An Israeli newspaper says that U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton will leave his position this fall. For the past five years, Dayton has headed the American unit training Palestinian security forces in Jordan. The Israeli daily Haaretz is reporting that Dayton’s departure is causing concern among Palestinian leaders who view the move as a sign of a reduced commitment on the part of the U.S. government. Dayton was appointed to a one-year term by former President George W. Bush five years ago and has been credited with building the Palestinian security force to the point where even Israel has commended its success in fighting terror and controlling the security situation in areas where that responsibility has been transferred to the Palestinian Authority.