Regulatory Alerts2021-01-01
Circular No. 145: Inspection and Testing of Alarm and Security Devices
The Palestine Monetary Authority, referencing a letter from the General Directorate of the Police, mandates that all banks operating in Palestine must fully coordinate with local police directorates before conducting any inspections or tests on branch and ATM alarm and security systems. This requirement addresses recent uncoordinated testing by banks in the Bethlehem Governorate, which triggered unnecessary police dispatches and caused operational disruptions. The circular explicitly instructs banks to establish prior coordination protocols to ensure security testing does not compromise emergency response efficiency or public safety.
Palestine Monetary Authority
PALESTINE MONETARY AUTHORITY
Circular No. 145 (2021)
To all banks operating in Palestine
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Subject: Inspection and Testing of Alarm and Security Devices
Attached is a letter from Major General / Hazem Atallah – Director General of the Police, regarding certain banks conducting inspections and tests on the alarm and security devices of their branches and affiliated ATMs without coordinating with the police directorates in the governorates. In our commitment to strengthen cooperation with the police and enhance security and safety requirements for banks, we reiterate the necessity of full coordination with the police directorates in the governorates before conducting any inspections or tests on alarm and security devices.
Supervision Group
Palestine Monetary Authority
Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate - Palestine P.O. Box 452 - Palestine - Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate
info@pma.ps | Fax: +970 2 2415310 | Tel: +970 2 2415251
Gaza - Palestine P.O. Box 4026 - Gaza - Palestine
Fax: +970 8 2844487 | Tel: +970 8 2825713
www.pma.ps
Ministry of Interior
State of Palestine
General Directorate of Police
May God preserve you
To the esteemed Dr. / Firas Malham
Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority
National greetings...
Subject: Inspection of Alarm Devices in Banks
The General Directorate of Police extends its warmest greetings and wishes to inform Your Excellency that recently, it has been noticeably observed that banks operating in the Bethlehem Governorate are conducting inspections of alarm and security devices for their branches and affiliated ATMs without consulting the police authorities. These alarms are taken seriously, prompting police patrols to be dispatched to the location of each alarm activation, which has caused operational disruptions for us.
- We kindly request Your Excellency to instruct the banks that, in the event they conduct inspections or tests on alarm and security devices, they must coordinate with the police directorates in the governorates to take the necessary measures.
With respect and appreciation,
Major General / Hazem Atallah
Director General of the Police
Governor's Office
Issued No.: 1636
Date: 6/7/2021
Fax: 02-2953167
EFQM
Committed to excellence