The IDF is instituting, once again, a series of measures to make life easier for the Arabs living in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Beginning this morning, 4,000 workers and traders are allowed to cross into pre-1967 Israel, and another 1,500 are permitted to return to work in the Atarot industrial zone in northern Jerusalem. Public transportation in PA-controlled Yesha will run on a limited basis.
Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler reports that a closure has been in force for four weeks, since the Maxim Restaurant terrorist massacre in Haifa. The matter of the counter-terror measures imposed on the Arabs in the PA-controlled areas is a complex one. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz and GSS chief Avi Dichter feel that any let-up will be taken advantage of by terrorist elements to perpetrate attacks like the recent massacre in Haifa (21 dead) and the Sep. 9 attacks in Tzrifin and Jerusalem, killing 15. Mofaz says, therefore, that travel restrictions on Yesha Arabs must be lifted only gradually and cautiously. Others, however, such as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon, feel that this "collective punishment" increased the hatred propagated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as these organizations' popularity and strength.
This issue was raised yesterday at a Jerusalem hotel in a debate between MK Chaim Ramon (Labor) and Arab MK Ahmed Tibi before a group of 160 members of the European Parliament. Tibi said that though he does not justify her actions, the female terrorist who murdered 21 people in the Maxim Restaurant in Haifa this month was motivated to do so because the army did not permit her cancer-stricken father to enter pre-1967 Israel for medical treatment. It should also be noted that the murderer's brother and cousin were terrorists themselves who were killed in clashes with IDF forces, and that the army took this into account when it suspected their family of terrorist sympathies or motives. Ramon was incensed at Tibi's remarks, saying, "Every side has its horror stories." He had a hard time arguing with Tibi, however, as he himself feels that Israel should withdraw from Yesha. "Between the two alternatives of full occupation and a partition fence, the latter is the better choice," Ramon said.
Arutz-7's Kobi Finkler reports that a closure has been in force for four weeks, since the Maxim Restaurant terrorist massacre in Haifa. The matter of the counter-terror measures imposed on the Arabs in the PA-controlled areas is a complex one. Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz and GSS chief Avi Dichter feel that any let-up will be taken advantage of by terrorist elements to perpetrate attacks like the recent massacre in Haifa (21 dead) and the Sep. 9 attacks in Tzrifin and Jerusalem, killing 15. Mofaz says, therefore, that travel restrictions on Yesha Arabs must be lifted only gradually and cautiously. Others, however, such as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon, feel that this "collective punishment" increased the hatred propagated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as these organizations' popularity and strength.
This issue was raised yesterday at a Jerusalem hotel in a debate between MK Chaim Ramon (Labor) and Arab MK Ahmed Tibi before a group of 160 members of the European Parliament. Tibi said that though he does not justify her actions, the female terrorist who murdered 21 people in the Maxim Restaurant in Haifa this month was motivated to do so because the army did not permit her cancer-stricken father to enter pre-1967 Israel for medical treatment. It should also be noted that the murderer's brother and cousin were terrorists themselves who were killed in clashes with IDF forces, and that the army took this into account when it suspected their family of terrorist sympathies or motives. Ramon was incensed at Tibi's remarks, saying, "Every side has its horror stories." He had a hard time arguing with Tibi, however, as he himself feels that Israel should withdraw from Yesha. "Between the two alternatives of full occupation and a partition fence, the latter is the better choice," Ramon said.