Israel Matzav

Fatah conference prepared the way for third 'intifadeh'

Former General Security Service chief Avi Dichter of the center-left Kadima party argued before Tuesday's Fatah conference that its expected decisions were laying the groundwork for a third 'Palestinian' 'intifadeh' (uprising) that would rain more death and destruction on Israel.

"Fatah's statements are clearing the way to what may eventually be the third intifada," he said. "Once you say that the fight will go on by all means necessary – anyone in their right mind understands that spells an armed conflict... Such a decision by the congress would send us years back."

"It is very clear, even now, that the Palestinians have no intention of missing an opportunity – to miss an opportunity," he said.

"What I find particularly disturbing is that it's the moderates that plan to have the convention vote on an article titled 'continuing the fight against Israel by all means necessary.' Sixteen years after the Oslo Accords, it's Fatah's way of saying they see an armed conflict as a legitimate way to conduct dialogue with Israel.

"If they intend to see that article through, they would be leading to the next armed conflict. A week ago they were still talking about a public fight, which could be construed as demonstrations, but over the past few days they have been talking about reaffirming the sections calling for a fight.

"It is inconceivable," he continued, "That nine years after the Second Intifada – which the heads of the Palestinian Authority did nothing to curb – and two years after they lost the Gaza Strip to Hamas and the Iranians in what was a de facto coup, the PA's leadership, headed by Abbas, still believe an armed conflict would lead to a Palestinian state.

Dichter acts surprised. Given that he was the head of the GSS and the internal security minister, I don't know why he should be surprised. He was privy to all the reports. He knew that the 'Palestinians' - even the 'moderate' 'Palestinians' of Fatah - never stopped preparing their 'people' for violent resistance. They never accepted the legitimacy of the State of Israel. And they never will.

Perhaps Dichter is confused because he believes that Fatah's goal is an armed conflict that will lead to a 'Palestinian state.' That is not the goal and it never has been. The goal is to destroy the Jewish state. While an armed conflict cannot lead to a 'Palestinian state,' if Israel hesitates and does not respond to it forcefully, it could destroy the Jewish state, as nearly happened during the early days of the Oslo Terror War (also known as the 'second intifadeh'), a period covering roughly September 2000 to March 2002 when Ariel Sharon sent IDF troops in to take over the 'Palestinian' cities.

Yes, Fatah sees armed conflict as a legitimate way of conducting dialogue with Israel. When have they ever said otherwise?

"If it wasn’t for Israel's vigorous actions against the terror activity in Judea and Samaria, the Palestinian Authority's leaders would be on the run, trying to flee Hamas, just like they fled Gaza. The future of the Palestinian Authority depends on it seeking peace with Israel."

This is why Israel must go to the United States and point to this 'conference' and say that we will do what we can to allow the 'Palestinians' free movement within Judea and Samaria, but the IDF will retain overall security responsibility for both Judea and Samaria and for the crossing points between them and 'Israel proper.' There will be no further handovers of responsibility to the Dayton forces. Israel cannot take the risk of those forces triggering a new war, nor can it rely on them to maintain what is ultimately the security of Israelis. And if the United States does not listen, it does not listen, and we do what we need to do anyway. Our security must come ahead of pleasing our putative allies. It is our lives that are on the line.

But what I found most disturbing about this piece was Dichter's bottom line prescription.

"The chances of any bilateral progress with the Palestinians are practically nonexistent, because they don’t know how to follow though (on decisions) for themselves, let alone where Israel is concerned.

"We have to take a closer look at the Arab Initiative, which may provide a biding framework for the PA. As I see it," he concluded, "The Palestinians are about to lose their way again, just like after Oslo."

No, no, no. Three words: "Manage the conflict." If the solution is not there, we cannot force it to be there. This is the most important lesson Israel has to learn from the last 16 years of alternating negotiations and war with the 'Palestinians.' The Arab states are not going to protect us. We have to protect ourselves. And the Arab states have the same ultimate goal that the 'Palestinians' have: They would be very happy to see the Jewish state destroyed even if they are no longer willing to sacrifice their own young men to see it done.

It's time to accept reality: There is no solution. We have to manage the conflict until we are the only ones left standing here (which is the only chance I believe that we have to survive) or until a new reality is created among the 'Palestinians' that accepts Israel's existence - something that seems most unlikely in the next generation.

Otherwise, we will have to learn how to swim.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:06 PM