Both the IDF Chief of Staff and Israel's Police Chief said today, in separate media interviews, that the relative quiet of the past few weeks is not due to a Palestinian decision to opt for peace, but rather to successful Israeli military operations to thwart terrorism. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon said that for the first time in two years, there are now more explosives belts than suicide terrorists willing to detonate them.
Yaalon also noted with surprise that he was greeted very warmly by Arab residents of Hevron during his visit there last week. He explained that the IDF presence in the cities of Judea and Samaria "freed the [Arab] residents from the heavy yoke of the Palestinian Authority." It was learned today that the IDF has essentially revived the Civil Administration that governed Judea, Samaria and Gaza between 1967 and 1993. An office is open in Hevron, serving hundreds of people a day.
Yaalon also noted with surprise that he was greeted very warmly by Arab residents of Hevron during his visit there last week. He explained that the IDF presence in the cities of Judea and Samaria "freed the [Arab] residents from the heavy yoke of the Palestinian Authority." It was learned today that the IDF has essentially revived the Civil Administration that governed Judea, Samaria and Gaza between 1967 and 1993. An office is open in Hevron, serving hundreds of people a day.