Israel Matzav

IDF steps in for the 'Dayton forces'

Much has been made of the 'Dayton forces' - the American-trained 'Palestinian' police army that is 'keeping order' in Judea and Samaria. The pride and joy of the Dayton forces is Shchem (Nablus). But on Tuesday night, the IDF had to be called in to conduct a counter-terror operation that the Dayton forces were unwilling or unable to carry out.

The IDF returned to Shechem and carried out a major counterterrorist maneuver that the Palestinian Authority’s fledgling army, trained by U.S. military officers, was supposed to have been responsible for. The Tuesday night counterterrorist operation nabbed an Islamic Jihad operative wanted for several years for planning two suicide attacks and for attacking soldiers.

The suspect, Zalach Mahmad Zalach Buchari, was responsible for planning a suicide bombing in the Tel Aviv central bus station in January 2002, in which 28 people were wounded. A second suicide attack was foiled by security forces at the last minute. He also planned to abduct soldiers and has been hiding in Shechem for seven years.

According to its agreements with Israel, the PA is responsible for eliminating the terrorist infrastructure in Shechem, as well as other large Arab cities in Judea and Samaria. The IDF action Tuesday night bore out frequent military officers’ statements that the success of the PA forces in maintaining law and order is dependent on the IDF.

They have warned that if the IDF were to totally abandon the area, terrorists would regain the upper hand. "We see progress, but we won't give them full control of the cities. They're not capable of fighting Hamas and Islamic Jihad," a senior IDF officer, coordinating between General Keith Dayton and the PA, recently told TIME magazine.

No, they're not capable of fighting Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Whether they'd be willing to do so without the IDF present is a separate issue. What I hope is clear to all of you is that without the IDF's continuing presence in Judea and Samaria, neither the 'security fence' nor the 'Dayton forces' would be enough to keep the terrorists out.

What could go wrong?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:54 PM