Weekly Commentary: Imperative to Prevent Spread Of Palestinian Chaos to West
Bank

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 17 May, 2007

The struggle taking place between Palestinians elements today in Gaza isn't
driven by poverty and hunger but instead by a hunger for power. That's an
important distinction that policymakers must recognize as it means that
pressing Israel to forfeit its security arrangements in the hopes that it
will improve the Palestinian economy and in turn stability misses the point.

At the same time, it is crucial to note that independent of the
intra-Palestinian conflict, all armed elements on the Palestinian side,
regardless of affiliation or status, are determined to prepare for the day
that "armed struggle" rather than diplomacy will be deployed against the
Jewish State to achieve their goals.

The internal Palestinian debate over the choice between diplomacy and the
gun is not a debate over principles but instead over tactics. "Moderate"
Mahmoud Abbas doesn't renounce violence against Israel - he only argues
about its current efficacy. With the emphasis on the word "current".

And they certainly have been preparing.

The security hiatus aka ceasefire in the Gaza Strip allowed the Palestinians
to build, train and equip armies without Israeli interference.

This development represents a clear and present danger to Israel. A causus
belli regardless of if Qassams are raining down on Sderot.

The challenge for Israel is to make it clear that a cessation of rocket
attacks will not suffice. The security hiatus cannot and must not continue.

At the same time, the critical role of Israeli security activities in the
West Bank in preventing that area from being engulfed in the chaos of the
Gaza Strip must be emphasized.

If not for ongoing Israeli operations, Hamas elements would have succeeded
already long ago in their efforts to take control from within and without
the various PA security services.

Abandon the daily security round ups, check points and other Israeli
security measures and it would only be a matter of time before the nightmare
of Gaza took second place to a horrific West Bank.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il