Israel Sticks to its Guns on Security Demands

by Shlomo Cesana

Israel seeks to preserve the right to conduct anti-terror operations in the territory of a future Palestinian state • U.S. security plan allows for IDF patrols, drones in the Jordan Valley.

IDF soldiers on patrol [Illustrative] | Photo credit: AP

Israel and the U.S. are divided over security considerations for a future peace agreement with the Palestinians. The U.S. accepts the Palestinian position that their state must be sovereign within its territory, meaning Israel would not be permitted to conduct anti-terror operations in Palestinian cities, as it does now.

Israel opposes this and seeks to preserve the right to thwart terror and kill terrorists in the future Palestinian state. Israel also demands the right to conduct hot pursuits of "ticking bombs" within the Palestinian state. In other words, the Israel Defense Forces would be able to enter Palestinian territory to pursue terrorists who are either about to commit a terror attack in Israel or are escaping after having carried out a strike on Israel. The Palestinians oppose this, claiming it would be a violation of their sovereignty.

The Israeli defense establishment, including Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, also opposes an Israeli withdrawal from the Jordan Valley. Israeli defense officials say that situating an advanced security apparatus in the Jordan Valley would be useless if Israeli forces were unable to operate on the ground there.

The security plan that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry presented to Israel was prepared by a team led by U.S. General John Allen. The American team has held talks with Israeli defense officials, including army reserve generals, seeking their public support for the security plan. The plan includes construction of a fence in the Jordan Valley, similar to the fences Israel built on its borders with Egypt and Syria. The plan also allows for Israeli military patrols in the Jordan Valley, aided by Israeli drones overhead. Israel would furthermore receive advanced U.S. satellite intelligence, and some coordination with Jordanian forces.

Amos Gilad, the head of the Defense Ministry Diplomatic-Security Bureau, said, "Technology is not a solution, unless it is anchored in intelligence gathered on the ground."

"A drone that is not fed intelligence is a useless tool," Gilad said.

"If we leave the area, and no one replaces us -- and I don't see at this time any party with high-value intelligence capabilities replacing us -- the ability to thwart terror would be harmed," Gilad said.

Shlomo Cesana

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=14281

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