by Yaakov Amidror
The recent wave of terrorism has seen illusion peddlers take center stage • While some are true believers, others seek only to promote personal, political, potentially dangerous agendas • Regional realities mandate a different, more prudent approach.
It has never been proven
that settlement construction or freeze has a real effect on the security
situation [Illustrative]
|
Photo credit: AFP |
The series of terrorist attacks throughout the Sukkot holiday, especially the brutal murders of
a Jewish couple in Samaria and two Jewish men in Jerusalem's Old City,
seem to have become the podium from which a slew of public figures, from
both the Right and the Left, seek to peddle their illusions. Some of
these individuals truly believe in what they are saying, while others
seek only to promote their personal agendas and worldviews, despite
their irrelevance.
These individuals have made various statements over the past few days, including the following:
"We need a bold diplomatic initiative and courageous leadership to end the [Palestinian] despair that results in these murders."
Really? It is well known that in the midst of
the political process that culminated in the 1993 Oslo Accords, when
Israel ceded vast territories, terrorism reached new heights. It was
when the Oslo Accords were signed and the government was pursuing the
Israeli-Palestinian peace process in earnest that explosive devices and
suicide bombers exploded nationwide, killing Jews indiscriminately.
There is no real proof that "diplomatic
initiatives," bold or otherwise, can quell terrorism. Some would even
argue that the opposite is true, which it is, especially with regards to
organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
The chanting of the leftist mantra that
"negotiations breed calm" is tantamount to a mystical ritual that has
nothing to do with reality, regardless of the followers who believe in
it.
"Regional peace could be used as leverage to
have the moderate Arab states pressure the Palestinians to enable them
to realize our shared interests. Cooperation with the region's nations
is the key to a peace deal."
As attractive as this theory may be, it is not
grounded in reality. Firstly, because the so-called "moderate"
countries hold less than moderate views on some key issues, most notably
Jerusalem; and secondly, it is clear to anyone who understands the
workings of the Middle East that on most issues, these countries have no
interest in pressuring the Palestinians. No Arab leader worth his salt
will relinquish anything on behalf of the Palestinians, regardless of
how "moderate" he may seem. Moreover, even if he wanted to, the Arab
street will prevent such moves.
"Massive settlement construction is the only
appropriate response to terrorism. It will deter the Arabs and decrease
violence. It is the settlement freeze that leads to terrorism."
Such statements make me wonder if even those
making them believe what they say. They know that settlement
construction has never contributed to a decrease in terrorist activity,
and there is no proof -- none whatsoever -- that anyone has ever shelved
a terrorist plot over a settlement freeze.
Such statements seek only to take advantage of
a difficult situation to promote a political agenda, which while
legitimate, is ill-timed. Those endorsing settlement construction do so
regardless of terrorism, and using this terrible time to push it further
is just an excuse, and a poor one at that.
The problem is that the overall atmosphere has
a powerful effect, and the government could find itself in a situation
where this terrible excuse is somehow considered during the
decision-making process. Responsible individuals, whose vision stretches
beyond the short-term approval of 1,000 housing units in Judea and
Samaria, must remember that Israel is waging a difficult battle in the
international arena, and making hasty decisions because despicable
murderers spill Jewish blood may have far-reaching ramifications.
"The problem is the lack of significant
military response. Deterrence has been eroded and the military must be
allowed to operate forcefully."
This is the emotional reaction of those who
are struggling to deal with the situation, and those cynical enough to
exploit security tensions to lambaste the leadership. I doubt any
defense official thinks the problem lies in the need for a more forceful
reaction.
In most similar cases, a more forceful
response would solve nothing. For example, you cannot shoot an Arab on
the streets of the Old City before he pulls out a knife. What directive
should have been given to the police, what change to the rules of
engagements could have prevented the stabbing attack near the Lions'
Gate? The terrorist assumed he would be killed during the attack -- most
terrorists assume as much -- so what more could have been done to deter
him? Does anyone really believe that if Israel had hundreds of dead
Palestinians to deal with it would somehow fare better or that terrorism
would somehow diminish?
Anyone seriously under that impression is
dangerously deluded. Additional casualties in the hundreds would see
Israel facing uncontrollable, raging Palestinian crowds and even more
terrorism. Contrary to inflammatory recommendations, Israel cannot and
should not launch a destructive onslaught, because it is both unethical
and ineffective.
Specific operational tactics, such as sniper
fire against rioters throwing stones and firebombs, can and should be
used and perfected, and additional troops should be deployed to certain
flashpoints, such as roads across Judea and Samaria, but we must
remember that such deployment may hinder preparations for the next round
of violence in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
Unlike the time between the Oslo Accords and
2002's Operation Defensive Shield in Judea and Samaria, the military is
under no operational restrictions. The fact is that the solution to this
complex situation does not lie in military might, but rather in better
intelligence, which in some cases can be the difference between a foiled
attack and bloodshed.
No one is claiming that there is anything
restricting intelligence-gathering efforts, but in some cases,
especially when a "lone wolf" who is not affiliated with any terrorist
organization is involved, even intelligence is useless. Security forces
cannot be everywhere all the time, so it is pure luck and the rapid
response of bystanders that determine the outcome of lone terrorist
attacks.
"The attacker always takes the initiative and nothing can be done about it."
The Palestinians have no illusions when it
comes to the immense power the IDF wields in the Middle East in general
and opposite them in particular. Some of them are willing to die
fighting the "occupation," especially when it comes to anything
perceived as a threat to the Al-Aqsa mosque, namely the Temple Mount.
Some among the Palestinians are willing to
abuse this zeal, especially the northern branch of the Islamic Movement,
and some on the Israeli side are providing them with plenty of excuses
for their nefarious acts, such as the arson attack in Duma.
One fact must be reiterated: We, the Jews, are
the sovereigns. We are the stronger party in this fight, and no wave of
terrorism, horrific as it may be, will change that basic element in the
equation.
During the British Mandate, when the government often sided with the Arab rioters, the Jewish resistance groups Irgun and Lehi were right to mount a forceful response against murders. Now, we no longer have to prove anything. Israel is a strong, sovereign state, and as such it must use its force prudently, only when its results have proven benefits, and only as a last resort.
During the British Mandate, when the government often sided with the Arab rioters, the Jewish resistance groups Irgun and Lehi were right to mount a forceful response against murders. Now, we no longer have to prove anything. Israel is a strong, sovereign state, and as such it must use its force prudently, only when its results have proven benefits, and only as a last resort.
Yaakov Amidror
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