Isi Leibler - Israel Hayom
The “lone-wolf” stabbings, shootings and other actions by individuals designed to kill Israelis are not a new phenomenon. Nor are they “popular” responses to settlements, poor living conditions or alienation due to the “occupation.” They are an extension of the conflict with the Arabs that preceded the creation of the Jewish state.
Over the past year, incitement from the
Palestinian Authority has intensified, matching that of Hamas, stoking
the fires of religious fanaticism based on fabricated hysteria alleging
that Jews plan to demolish Al-Aqsa mosque. PA President Mahmoud Abbas
shamelessly directs this campaign of hatred, accusing Jews of “defiling
Al-Aqsa mosque with their filthy feet,” praising the “holy blood” of the
“martyred” killers and condemning Israel for “murdering” the
terrorists.
The objective is clear. The PA — which
still endorses a two-state policy when it communicates with Western
countries — today unequivocally exhorts its constituents to promote the
elimination of any Jewish entity and demands the establishment of a
Muslim state incorporating all territory from the Mediterranean Sea to
the Jordan River.
The successful outcome of the incitement
is reflected in Palestinian polls which indicate that 67% support the
stabbings and killing of Jews and believe that this serves the
Palestinian national interest and 48% regard the goal of the intifada as
the destruction of the Jewish state.
In the past three months, over 25 Israeli civilians and 130 Palestinian terrorists have been killed.
What is frustrating is that the new
genre of killers overwhelmingly comprise religious fanatics stirred into
a frenzy by their leaders and mullahs to kill Jews with the promise of
entry into Paradise as glorious martyrs. Many are teenagers, they
include females, and they are virtually impossible to anticipate through
conventional intelligence sources.
Terrorism will never be the undoing of the state and we have overcome far tougher challenges in the past.
But there is no sign of this terror
abating, but rather predictions that it could intensify. It has already
had a massive negative impact on tourism.
The numbers are still far less than
casualties from road accidents. But each victim of terror has traumatic
implications on the national psyche and is mourned by the entire nation.
No matter how resilient Israelis may be, the indefinite extension of an
atmosphere in which one is fearful when walking down the street or
distressed by a constant stream of terrorist incidents is depressing.
Unfortunately, there are no obvious
solutions. To deal with the duplicitous Abbas and the PA is not simple.
Despite the incitement to kill, because it fears a Hamas takeover, the
PA does prevent public uprisings and maintains internal order. The
Israel Defense Forces understandably seeks to maintain this status quo
because it has no desire to reoccupy Palestinian cities in order to
maintain a semblance of authority.
This current untenable situation requires new approaches and strategies.
For a start, we should try to behave
rationally. The decision by the Israeli Medical Association to instruct
its members to give priority to wounded terrorists who seem to be in
worse condition than their victims is bizarre. It explicitly calls on
Israeli medical officials to blur the distinction between a murderer and
his victim. It reflects a total lack of a moral compass. Could one
visualize doctors being instructed to give priority to Nazi
concentration guards in worse condition than their former captives? A
terrorist murderer is surely no better.
Likewise, repeated warnings to security
forces to take maximum precautions to avoid mortally injuring killers as
they seek to murder Israelis may inhibit security officers and lead to
tragic consequences. We are not engaged in a friendly sport or acting as
chivalrous knights. When a terrorist seeks to murder an Israeli, the
instruction should be shoot to kill.
Another infuriating action is the return
of the bodies of the killers to their families. The IDF has been
persuaded by Palestinian security forces that withholding the bodies
generates enormous rage and leads to greater unrest. Yet despite
repeated assurances by the families that funerals of terrorists will be
low profile events, the horrific mass gatherings and anti-Israeli
incitement calling for intensified terror that occurs at such funerals
are surely worse than the anger generated when the bodies are not
returned. We are dealing with frenzied murderers of innocent civilians,
not soldiers or fighters. Handing over their bodies for funerals that
become hate fests against Israel and that glorify the murderers as
heroes should be terminated.
There is a need to explore further means of deterrence beyond demolishing the homes of the perpetrators’ immediate families.
The IDF has a good track record of
pursuing and apprehending terrorists who are not “neutralized”
instantly. However, the IDF concern to avoid direct occupation of the
West Bank if the PA collapses makes it difficult to force Abbas to cease
his incitement. Taking into account the overwhelming support for
terrorist acts by Palestinians, the government could perhaps consider
some collective punitive responses when Abbas or his leaders launch
extreme calls to incitement. But easier said than done.
Closing the borders for a day or more to
deny entry to Palestinian laborers would be painful but would cause
unjustified hardship to the more moderate Arabs.
Consideration should perhaps be given to
now formally annexing the major settlement blocs. This would also make
it easier for the IDF to close borders should it be obliged to reoccupy
the territories in the event of the PA’s collapse.
With the expanded threat of global
terrorism, some Western countries may temper their pressure to create a
Palestinian state at this time, realizing that the radicalization of the
Palestinians would make such a state a prime candidate to join ISIS.
In terms of deterring Hamas, Israel has
greater opportunities to adopt a tough approach. Hamas propaganda even
exceeds the most obscene Nazi calls for the extermination of the Jewish
people. It is directly engaged in orchestrating terrorist attacks
against Israel and restoring attack tunnels on Israeli borders. Last
week, Lebanon’s El Khabar newspaper quoted Hamas sources stating that it
was resurrecting sleeper cells and recruiting volunteers with the
intention of launching a new wave of suicide bombings against Israel.
Understandably, Israel has sought to
avoid actions that would lead to a renewed war with Hamas in Gaza. Yet
there are lessons to be learned from our failure to react swiftly to
former Hamas provocations. Yes, there is a possibility that tough action
could renew the conflict. But there is a more compelling case
suggesting that resolute action now will prevent us sliding into another
war.
We should consider destroying the radio
and TV stations that broadcast calls for our annihilation. We should be
prepared to cut off electricity and impose tougher blockades if they
continue orchestrating terrorist activity or launch rockets against us.
That does indeed represent collective punishment but taking into account
the enthusiastic public support for terrorist acts against Israel, that
should not deter us.
Of course, the greatest and most
effective deterrent is to reintroduce targeted assassinations which will
make the leaders think twice before indulging in terrorist acts. Such
action is also likely to impact on the PA and oblige them to temper
their current incitement.
All these suggestions are complex and
can lead to other problems. But Israelis can take pride in the fact that
they are capable of creative outside-the-box solutions and have
frequently adopted unconventional actions that proved successful.
The status quo is unacceptable and in the absence of remedial action it is likely to worsen.
The government must determine a strategy
and convey the message unequivocally to Hamas. Now may be the best time
to bite the bullet. That Iran and Hezbollah are currently engaged in a
bitter battle in Syria makes it less likely that, in the event of war
with Hamas, we would face a two-front confrontation The international
community, which is not unduly friendly toward Israel, will presumably
again call for restraint and proportionality and Israel will still be
condemned in the majority of international forums.
But today, with the fear being generated
by ISIS terror all over the world, many countries — even as they
publicly join the inevitable chorus of condemnation — are likely to have
a greater understanding of our determination to protect our citizens
from brutal terrorist attacks than was the case in the past.
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