January 16, 2005 12:48 PM

Today's forecast in Hell: freezing temperatures

Israel orders crackdown; PLO calls for end to violence

Over the weekend and this morning there has been an increase in Palestinian terror against Israeli civilians. Unfortunately despite the change in Palestinian leadership, we see that its leaders have not even begun to take any action against the terror. This situation cannot continue….[T]he security forces have been instructed to step up operational activity against terrorism, and they will continue to do so, without restrictions — I emphasize, without restrictions — as long as the Palestinians are not lifting a finger. The political leadership has instructed that any action — that any action — be taken that is necessary to halt terrorism.

  • Ariel Sharon

Jeez, whoda thunkit? The PLO calling for an end to violence against Israelis? It’s a welcome step (and about damn time), but will it turn out to be anything more than a meaningless gesture, more empty words designed solely for propaganda purposes? Or will things really be different this time?

The PLO’s executive committee announced Sunday “that the Palestinians are ready to carry out their obligations to stop violence against Israelis anywhere,” committee member Saeb Erakat told CNN, adding that the committee hopes “the Israeli side would reciprocate by stopping violence against Palestinians everywhere.”

The PLO has called for an end to violence in the past, and in this case — as in the past — Erakat said the call was for a bilateral end to violence. But Israel complains the PLO has refused to take action to prevent Palestinian violence. Sharon complained Sunday that Palestinian leaders “are not lifting a finger” to end attacks.

Erakat said [new Palestinian leader Mahmoud] Abbas, who also heads the PLO, planned a trip to Gaza on Wednesday “in order to get all Palestinian factions to agree to this call.”

IF Abbas can succeed in persuading some of the more radical Palestinian factions that it is in their best interests to agree to a cessation of hostilies, THEN Israel will have something to think about. It’s hard to blame Ariel Sharon for wanting to see what action comes behind the words. Until Israelis can be convinced that Palestinians are serious about peace, there really is no recourse but for the government and the army to pursue terrorists with every resource at their disposal.

It would be nice to be able to think the Palestinians mean business this time. Unfortunately, there are still Palestinian radicals out there who believe the only good Israeli is a dead one. Until these nutcases can be marginalized, controlled, and- if necessary- eliminated, nothing will change.

If Palestinians want to have any hope of being treated as equal partners, they’re going to have to make certain their own house is in order before they have the right to expect anything from Israel.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on January 16, 2005 12:48 PM.

It's OK; I'll drive.... was the previous entry in this blog.

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