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Security and Defense: It's Showdown Time!
by Yaakov Katz
- The invasion of Jericho and Israel's success at apprehending Saadat sent a threefold message to the Palestinians.
- Firstly, said OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh, it showed that "the blood of an Israeli minister will not be forfeited and the perpetrators will be hunted down."
- Secondly, the Jericho operation, dubbed "Bringing the Goods Home," served as a declaration to Hamas that even the run-up to the formation of the new Palestinian government would not prevent Israel from operating inside PA-controlled cities.
- Finally, according to officials, it served as a warning to Hamas leaders that if - after forming a government - they engaged in terror activity, they would not be immune to targeted killings or Jericho-like invasions. (Jerusalem Post)
Great Election Ploy. Now What?
by Ofer Shelah
- Olmert took no particular risk by going to Jericho. He knew he would enjoy from both right- and left-wingers, and that it would be very easy to translate Hamas' arrogance about releasing Zeevi's killers into a national consensus about the need to arrest them.
- In this context, the move jells nicely with other ideas Olmert has put forth of late, and is a signal that the Kadima Party has once again taken the initiative.
- After being weaned from the "no mistakes" theory that has silenced him since he took over from Ariel Sharon in January, the acting prime minister is now the one to dictate the issues for debate, and he forces those who disagree with him to respond.
- Tuesday's IDF operation, along with signifying the desertion of a great many international factors, signifies the final crumbling of any appearance of self rule in the territories.
- Both Hamas and Mahmoud Abbas now have a perfect excuse not to take any responsibility -- the Palestinians have always been champions of such a path in any event. (Ynet News)
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And the Wall Came Tumbling Down
by Amos Harel
- The problem is that it is not exactly clear to whom the message was sent. Right now, the Palestinian Authority is an enigma, a two-headed creature in which the nature of relations between its two heads, the chairman of Fatah and the designated Hamas prime minister, has not yet been regulated.
- Even if the sight of the ruined Muqata in Jericho has been burned into the consciousness of the commander of the Palestinian brigade in the city, or of his own commanders in Ramallah, there is no certainty that other officers will not be taking their places two weeks from now.
- There is no doubt Abbas was humiliated by the Jericho affair. Other humiliations are liable to push the chairman, a serial threatener of resignation, to make good on his threats.
- The main positive development is the policy of restraint adopted by Hamas. This week, the organization passed a not-so-simple hurdle when its leaders rejected appeals by some activists to take revenge on Israel for the Jericho humiliation. (Ha'aretz)
Another Unilateral Move - Editorial
- Israel's assault on a Palestinian prison this week will no doubt bolster Mr. Olmert's strongman credentials, but the Israeli army's incursion into Jericho shouldn't be viewed solely as a political power play.
- It's worrisome because it widens the chasm in Israeli-Palestinian relations since the militant group Hamas won control of the Palestinian parliament.
- The assault graphically shows how easily this conflict could return to a military-style confrontation, the fragile cease-fire of the last year overtaken by a barrage of attacks and counterattacks.
- Israel acted on its own because it won't deal with the new Hamas-led government, which has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist. As long as Hamas holds to its anti-Israel stance, it will suffer the consequences of Israel's unilateral actions. (Baltimore Sun)
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