GSS (Shabak) commander Avi Dichter continues to promote the construction of the fence as a barrier against terrorism - even as he says that it appears to be on its way to becoming obsolete.
The Arabs of the Palestinian Authority, Dichter told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday, "are investing heavily in making weapons to get around the partition, including long-range artillery such as Kassam rockets." Neither the fence nor Sharon's planned disengagement would have any affect on such weapons, he said.
Dichter said that the terrorist elements in the PA are trying to transfer information on artillery manufacture from Gaza to Judea/Samaria in order to be able to attack Israel from there as well. "The organizations are working on upgrading their materials and the destructive effect," he told the committee, "by using careful timing and even chemical materials in their attacks. The Palestinian Authority areas are 'terror-land' and a refuge for terrorists. Terrorists are very likely [at any given moment] to leave from there for attacks, while the chances of the PA thwarting these attacks are almost zero... We may have to carry out another Operation Defensive Shield [large-scale military operation against terrorists] in Gaza."
Dichter puzzled some, however, by saying that in light of the increasing terrorist warnings, the importance of completing the fence has increased. Regarding the construction of the fence in the Jerusalem area, he said that he wishes he had a "virtual button to press to complete the fence right now."
The Arabs of the Palestinian Authority, Dichter told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday, "are investing heavily in making weapons to get around the partition, including long-range artillery such as Kassam rockets." Neither the fence nor Sharon's planned disengagement would have any affect on such weapons, he said.
Dichter said that the terrorist elements in the PA are trying to transfer information on artillery manufacture from Gaza to Judea/Samaria in order to be able to attack Israel from there as well. "The organizations are working on upgrading their materials and the destructive effect," he told the committee, "by using careful timing and even chemical materials in their attacks. The Palestinian Authority areas are 'terror-land' and a refuge for terrorists. Terrorists are very likely [at any given moment] to leave from there for attacks, while the chances of the PA thwarting these attacks are almost zero... We may have to carry out another Operation Defensive Shield [large-scale military operation against terrorists] in Gaza."
Dichter puzzled some, however, by saying that in light of the increasing terrorist warnings, the importance of completing the fence has increased. Regarding the construction of the fence in the Jerusalem area, he said that he wishes he had a "virtual button to press to complete the fence right now."