After a series of informal military warnings against a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, IDF Intelligence Chief Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash made it official this morning. At an appearance before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the General said that Prime Minister Sharon's statement of intent to withdraw from Gaza would instigate more terrorism and attacks against IDF forces.
"The Palestinians see [this plan] as a victory for terrorism," Farkash said. Acknowledging that some calls might be heard against continued terrorism after the IDF leaves, Farkash emphasized the likelihood that the plan will "strengthen the legitimacy of terrorism in the view of Islamic elements in Gaza. [The terrorist groups] see it as a surrender to terrorism, and this gives them motivation to perpetrate more terrorism in order to achieve more diplomatic gains."
A predecessor of Farkash, Gen. (res.) Shlomo Gazit, has similarly said,
"Our exit from Gaza will transform it into a big armed camp, into which weapons of all kinds will stream via land, sea and maybe even air... Moreover, this capitulation will be rightly viewed as a clear victory for the Palestinian armed struggle."
Gen. Farkash also said that the security establishment foresees that a significant retreat from Jewish towns in Gaza will lead to a power struggle between the Arafat/Qurei forces and those of Hamas. Other points made by Farkash: Most Fatah terrorism operates with Hizbullah/Iranian funding and organization; Syria is serious about negotiating with Israel; Arafat is doing nothing to stop terrorism.
"The Palestinians see [this plan] as a victory for terrorism," Farkash said. Acknowledging that some calls might be heard against continued terrorism after the IDF leaves, Farkash emphasized the likelihood that the plan will "strengthen the legitimacy of terrorism in the view of Islamic elements in Gaza. [The terrorist groups] see it as a surrender to terrorism, and this gives them motivation to perpetrate more terrorism in order to achieve more diplomatic gains."
A predecessor of Farkash, Gen. (res.) Shlomo Gazit, has similarly said,
"Our exit from Gaza will transform it into a big armed camp, into which weapons of all kinds will stream via land, sea and maybe even air... Moreover, this capitulation will be rightly viewed as a clear victory for the Palestinian armed struggle."
Gen. Farkash also said that the security establishment foresees that a significant retreat from Jewish towns in Gaza will lead to a power struggle between the Arafat/Qurei forces and those of Hamas. Other points made by Farkash: Most Fatah terrorism operates with Hizbullah/Iranian funding and organization; Syria is serious about negotiating with Israel; Arafat is doing nothing to stop terrorism.