Amos Harel, Ha’aretz military correspondent, is a useful resource that gives insight into the thinking of Israel’s top military echelon (which means its government as well, since there is no clear line between the military and government, just like in any junta). The article from today’s Haaretz, cited below, clearly is another sign of deja vu.
Firstly, nothing has changed in the attitude of the Israeli military (“master”) towards the Palestinian leadership (“slave”). Secondly, the military is once again itching to invade Gaza and take it over. So don’t be surprised when it happens.
“Statements made by senior Israeli officials following the attack at the Karni crossing on Thursday night sounded as if they had been taken from four years ago, during the days of Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat: ‘This is the Palestinian Authority’s test;’ ‘The Palestinian security mechanisms are doing nothing;’ ‘If they don’t act, we’ll do it for them;’ ‘There’s a limit to our patience.’”
“Once again, Israel is waiting for firm Palestinian moves against the terror organizations; and once again, it is pressuring foreign entities – the United States and the European Union – to get the Palestinian leadership to take action or at least to make promises.”
“Once again, the Israeli expectations are likely to remain unfulfilled.”
Commentary: Of course Harel fails to point out that these expectations will not be fulfilled because Israel is doing nothing to show that the path of Palestinians who advocate non-violence will be more effective than the militants’. Moreover, the Israeli military’s indiscriminate actions which harm innocent Palestinians, are doing everything to encourage those who call for vengeance on the Palestinian side.
“The next step is known in advance: The disappointment in the Palestinians will push the Israel Defense Forces into mounting broad offensives in the Gaza Strip. The PA’s security mechanisms may not be the primary target, but they will be among those hit.”
“In recent weeks, Jerusalem fostered many expectations of Mahmoud Abbas. Officials were impressed by his explicit statements denouncing terror, the orderly transfer of power after Arafat’s death, the former chairman’s quiet funeral, and Abbas’ sweeping election victory. But the window of opportunity has not opened up by more than a narrow crack. Assuming Abbas plans to achieve a cease-fire with the Palestinian opposition groups, he wants to do it in his own way and time – through persuasive talks and quiet agreements, without aggressive steps. The trouble is that Israel does not have time to see if he succeeds.”
Commentary: And why doesn’t Israel have the time? Israeli citizens continue to be killed even with or rather because of Israeli military action. Giving time for and encouraging alternative non-military paths should be the top priority of Israel if it is, in fact, interested in a peaceful solution to the conflict.
“Until now, Jerusalem has restricted its reactions to isolated reprisals and concerned statements following shooting, mortar and bomb attacks in the territories. But the Karni attack was tantamount to the Palestinian organizations spitting in the PA’s face. Meanwhile, Sderot is bleeding now more than Kiryat Shmona in its worst days. Three of the town’s residents were killed in Karni, and then there was the Qassam rocket attack that critically wounded a young girl there yesterday. Sderot’s list of victims is lengthening and the residents are running out of patience.”
Commentary: This is, of course, a gross exaggeration. Neither the attacks on Kiryat Shmona nor the attacks on Sderot were or are strategic threats to Israel. The continued conflict with the Palestinians and the cost in life, economic growth and moral stature, is something which over time undermines Israel’s core justification. Letting a few Palestinian hot heads determine the course of Israel’s actions is foolish at best, criminal at worst.
“These events have begun the countdown to a large military operation in the strip. The IDF has been preparing for this for a long time.”
Commentary: So in fact, the preperations to invade Gaza have nothing to do with the pin pricks of Palestinian militants, but is a long desired goal of Israel. Saying Sderot is bleeding, is obviously just a thinly veiled excuse to justify unjustifiable military actions.
“When Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says the disengagement will not take place under fire, he does not mean only the possibility of withdrawing in coordination with the Palestinians, but also to plan B – occupying extensive Palestinian territories to enable the IDF to prevent short-range attacks on the settlements and the roads leading to them, while he is busy clashing with the Israeli objectors to the disengagement plan.”
Commentary: It has always been unclear to me how Sharon can preach “disengagement” in one breath, and say there won’t be withdrawel unless there is total quiet. When Israeli troops move in and occupy Gaza, they will be under constant attack, so there will be no quiet. If they withdraw, the shelling will continue and there will be no quiet. Only a negotiated settlement can lead to quiet, but Sharon is obviously not interested in that.
“Such a move could include the north of the Gaza Strip, parts of Khan Yunis and the territories adjacent to the Philadelphi route in Rafah.
“Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided over the weekend to close all border crossings into the Strip, to retaliate locally to any attack on Israelis, and to resume the targeted killings. But the continued escalation may lead to the larger operation much sooner than planned.”
Commentary: In other words the operation was planned no matter what the Palestinians did. It is just that Palestinian militants are giving Israel an excuse to push the timetable up.
“Yesterday, the IDF entered the Zeitun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City, initiated clashes with armed activists and killed five Palestinians. Continued firing on Sderot could lead Israel to further steps.”
Commentary: In other words the killing of Palestinians by the Israeli army is a good excuse to kill more Palestinians.
