IDF forces arrested no fewer than 32 wanted Arab terrorists in the northern Shomron last night. Troops carried out many raids on terrorist targets in villages between Shechem and Jenin. Army sources say that the recent ban on the "neighbor routine" - in which a suspect's neighbor is told to convince the latter to give himself up - has actually facilitated arrests. This is because larger forces arrive in the area of the suspect's house, leading family members themselves to convince the suspect to surrender so that the house will not be demolished or damaged.
While much of the media coverage on Israel these days is focused on Israel's "ill-advised" siege on the Mukata and its sudden egg-on-its-face reversal forced by UN and US pressure, this may not really be the true story. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is widely portrayed as having lost much political stock because of his "collapse" in the face of outside pressures. The New York Times, for instance, in today's edition - two days after the end of the siege - quotes Israeli government ministers and military officials criticizing the decision to besiege Arafat's compound. Aluf Benn asserted in HaAretz yesterday that "the political and defense establishment in Israel completely failed in evaluating the interests and positions of the American administration."
Yet behind the scenes, it could be that the now-you-see-it now-you-don't siege has had quite a different effect - and brought Israel some surprising benefits. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA is optimistic that the "personal sacrifice" Sharon made will be recognized by other leaders, that the U.S. will be hesitant to apply further pressures on Israel in the near future, and most importantly, Israel's military can continue its anti-terrorist campaign in other ways without fear of criticism. The arrest of 32 terrorists last night appears to be proof that this is the case. "Call it foresight, divine providence, or just dumb luck," Lerner write, "the important thing now is for the security operations to continue in earnest to prevent the Palestinians from acting as Saddam's surrogate force in the coming battle."
While much of the media coverage on Israel these days is focused on Israel's "ill-advised" siege on the Mukata and its sudden egg-on-its-face reversal forced by UN and US pressure, this may not really be the true story. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is widely portrayed as having lost much political stock because of his "collapse" in the face of outside pressures. The New York Times, for instance, in today's edition - two days after the end of the siege - quotes Israeli government ministers and military officials criticizing the decision to besiege Arafat's compound. Aluf Benn asserted in HaAretz yesterday that "the political and defense establishment in Israel completely failed in evaluating the interests and positions of the American administration."
Yet behind the scenes, it could be that the now-you-see-it now-you-don't siege has had quite a different effect - and brought Israel some surprising benefits. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA is optimistic that the "personal sacrifice" Sharon made will be recognized by other leaders, that the U.S. will be hesitant to apply further pressures on Israel in the near future, and most importantly, Israel's military can continue its anti-terrorist campaign in other ways without fear of criticism. The arrest of 32 terrorists last night appears to be proof that this is the case. "Call it foresight, divine providence, or just dumb luck," Lerner write, "the important thing now is for the security operations to continue in earnest to prevent the Palestinians from acting as Saddam's surrogate force in the coming battle."