In a stark reversal on Wednesday, outgoing Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin expressed grave concern over Palestinian Authority unilateralism during a speech at Tel Aviv University.
Referring to the PA's bid to obtain a unilateral declaration of statehood by the United Nations, Diskin said he is "very worried by what is to take place in September."
"September is always a very bad month in the Middle East," Diskin continued. "I'm not sure things will happen exactly on the first of October... but I expect it will set in motion processes that can deteriorate."
At a rare May 5 press conference Diskin had panned the concerns of reporters who asked him what relevance a unilateral declaration of PA statehood by the UN would have.
“The world will not turn upside down on October 1,” Diskin had previously said. “If however there is complete deadlock, that could lead to frustration, but I don’t know when that will be – and it will depend a lot on what steps Israel takes.”
Diskin had also panned concerns about rioting and a "Third Intifada" on May 15th.
On Wednesday it was reported the IDF is concerned Arabs living in PA-controlled Ramallah may march on Beit El Sunday.
Diskin also addressed the targeted killing of Osama bin Laden by the United States, saying the US has more legal leeway than Israel, enabling it to carry out operations like the one which killed bin Laden in Pakistan earlier this month.
“In comparison to Israel which is under constant criticism regarding its war on terror, the US can permit itself to launch operations like these without facing a trial afterwards,” Diskin said.
“The Americans can influence international courts," He explained. "Israel has more difficulty doing so.”
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s military secretary cancelled a visit to England last week due to concerns he would be arrested for his involvement in Operation Cast Lead two years ago.