The Long War Journal: Abandoning Success: Israel Appeases Terror

Written by Bill Roggio on June 13, 2005 8:24 PM to The Long War Journal

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2005/06/abandoning_succ.php

Israel has squandered its opportunity to crush the Intifada and defeat the terrorists in the Palestinian territories. Last summer, the Israeli military had its foot on the throat of the Intifada, but the government of Ariel Sharon gave up the advantage gained by years of sacrifice and the implementation of a wise political and military strategy to defeat the Intifada.

The Israelis effectively smothered the Palestinian terrorists by building the fence and denying access to suicide bombers to Israel proper; conducting targeted attacks on Hamas and other terrorist groups’ leadership; and isolating the Palestinian Authority and President Yasser Arafat in his Ramallah compound, rendering him an ineffective leader of a movement bound for defeat. This strategy was devastating to the terrorists and the Palestinian Authority alike. Terrorist attacks against Israelis dropped dramatically, terrorist leaders became rare animals and the Palestinian Authority was in disarray and pleading for international help to end the Israeli isolation.

The death of Yasser Arafat breathed new life into the Palestinian Authority and the terrorists, and gave them time to regroup militarily and politically. Israel began to operate under the false assumption that moderates can rise through the PA leadership and reform the corrupt system. Sharon’s Likud party co-opted the Labor Party and formed a unity government, which then accepted the appeasement mentality of Labor.

Mahmoud Abbas’ election victory is a mockery to the peace process, as he has no intention of reining in the terrorist infrastructure in the Palestinian territories, despite his tough rhetoric. Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa has openly stated the PA will not disarm the ‘militants’ of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Fatah sponsored Yasser Arafat Martyrs Brigades (formerly Al Aqsa), etc; "Under international law, the Palestinian people have the right to resist this occupation and defend themselves."

And they continue to resist. Mortars are fired against Israel almost daily, despite the so-called cease fire that was implemented this winter. The Palestinian Authority is obligated under the terms of the ceasefire to prevent these mortar attacks, but in reality have done nothing to stop them. These mortar attacks are not the work of rogue ‘militants, but coordinated attacks by terrorist mortar teams.

The mortar attack which was conducted by Hamas on May 19^th demonstrates this point (see the accompanying video embedded in the article). The video shows a synchronized, if somewhat clumsy attack by a Hamas mortar team. At one point in the video, at least 10 men are visible shuttling rounds back and forth between a wall or fence, and loading and firing the mortar tube. A unit this size cannot operate this long - almost a minute of video, no doubt much time passed prior to the video capture - without being noticed by the security forces. Three rounds are fired within 20 seconds until it appears the mortar jams, and then the Israeli drone/aircraft attacks the target. Incidentally, the Israelis targeted the mortar tube and not the mortar team, showing ‘restraint’.

The Palestinian Authority responds to such attacks by conducting the “catch and release” of captured terrorists planning to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel. In one particular case, Hamas ‘gunmen’ were freed even after having a gunfight with PA security forces. Israel has grown soft as well, and put off capturing a known Islamic Jihad terrorist behind deadly Tel Aviv suicide attacks. Palestinian police captured him, but he quickly ‘escaped’ from prison and was finally killed by Israeli commandos. Recently two Islamic Jihad terrorists that were involved in a Tel Aviv suicide attack were freed by the Palestinian Authority in an attempt to placate in implacable.

Israel is committed to turning over the Gaza Strip without negotiation or conditions. Despite this gesture of goodwill, the Israeli Defense Forces estimates 3 divisions will be needed to conduct Gaza withdrawal, as it will likely come under attack from terrorists trying to show the Israelis withdrew under fire. The Israeli Defense Forces believes the Intifada will resume after withdrawal from Gaza. As if it ever ended.

The Gaza Strip borders Egypt, and is a major point of weapons and ammunition smuggling. The Palestinian Authority and Egypt do nothing to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza. Tunnels are discovered regularly, and the Philadelphi corridor is riddled with smugglers tunnels. Strella Surface to Air (SAM) missiles have been smuggled into Gaza, and the reaction of Israel Defense Minister Mofaz is to politely ask the Palestinian Authority to find them.

Abbas believes the ‘militants’ can be reigned in by negotiations and promises of jobs - at least he states so publicly. Based on the charter of the PLO (which Abbas presides over) this is unlikely. Abbas has repeatedly invited 'gunmen' to join the security forces, essentially asking the foxes to guard the henhouse. Despite these offers, the 'gunmen' continue to attack government forces. Even the Yasser Arafat Martyrs Brigade (formerly Al Aqsa) threatens the government with violence.

Abbas has even allowed Hamas to participate in elections. Hamas faired very well in local elections, and the results of some races were overturned by Palestinian courts. Hamas is angry over the decision, and is even angrier that Abbas has now delayed the Palestinian parliamentary election scheduled for this summer. Hamas was expected to do well. Israeli Defense Minister Mofaz stated that Israel would leave Gaza even if Hamas wins the parliamentary poll, essentially ceding Gaza to a declared terrorist entity without question.

The Israeli government quickly forgot a crucial lesson it learned during the Intifada - the terrorist mentality is embedded within the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority. Nothing short of a full defeat and capitulation by the Palestinian Authority and a purge of the terrorist guard can ensure a peaceful Palestinian state can coexist with Israel. The Sharon government, flush with success, blinked under international pressure and can now be assured of years of fruitless negotiation, terrorist attacks and international condemnation for the ‘oppression of the Palestinian people’.

Perhaps the Palestinian people will one day elect a truly moderate government willing to negotiate with Israel, but the Israelis are banking on the good will of a population that has not shown a willingness to expel the terrorists from their midst.