Today\'s two terrorist attacks (see below) have made but a slight change in official Israeli policy and statements. Coalition whip MK Ze\'ev Boim said that the \"hourglass of the restraint policy has reached the moment of truth.\" Minister Dalia Itzik (Labor) acknowledged today that the right-wing ministers are increasing their pressure upon Sharon to put an end to his restraint. She said she hopes that Sharon will persist in his restraint despite the continuing attacks. This may or may not occur, however; for the first time in several weeks, Israeli tanks fired 10-15 shells towards Shechem and the southern slopes of Mt. Eval; a PA officer was reported killed. The army also destroyed a Palestinian military position nearby, one that had been actively involved in facilitating local terrorist attacks, and took over a hilltop in the village of Kalil overlooking the road leading down from Har Brachah, south of Shechem.
The Yesha Council called today on the army to immediately activate the plan to stabilize security, featuring the distancing of Arafat and the dismantling of the PA, \"the largest terrorist organization in the world.\" The Council, together with Mateh Ma\'amatz and Kiryat Arba residents, will hold a demonstration outside the PM\'s house at 7:30 tonight, demanding, \"Expel Arafat and Restore Security.\"
The Hevron Jewish Community responded sharply to today\'s attacks: \"Sharon\'s continued policy of restraint in the face of the daily attacks on Yesha residents proves that the government, too, has accepted Arafat\'s instructions to \'murder a settler every day.\' The government and the one who stands at its helm will not be spared accountability for the fact that the settlers\' blood has become expendable, and the bill will yet come.\"
Another call to \"end the restraint\" came today from Deputy Minister Yuri Stern (Yisrael Beiteinu), who said that Israel must begin a worldwide information campaign to prepare world public opinion for a military offensive against the PA. He said that the army must be ordered to re-take the Abu Sneineh hills in Hevron.
The Yesha Council called today on the army to immediately activate the plan to stabilize security, featuring the distancing of Arafat and the dismantling of the PA, \"the largest terrorist organization in the world.\" The Council, together with Mateh Ma\'amatz and Kiryat Arba residents, will hold a demonstration outside the PM\'s house at 7:30 tonight, demanding, \"Expel Arafat and Restore Security.\"
The Hevron Jewish Community responded sharply to today\'s attacks: \"Sharon\'s continued policy of restraint in the face of the daily attacks on Yesha residents proves that the government, too, has accepted Arafat\'s instructions to \'murder a settler every day.\' The government and the one who stands at its helm will not be spared accountability for the fact that the settlers\' blood has become expendable, and the bill will yet come.\"
Another call to \"end the restraint\" came today from Deputy Minister Yuri Stern (Yisrael Beiteinu), who said that Israel must begin a worldwide information campaign to prepare world public opinion for a military offensive against the PA. He said that the army must be ordered to re-take the Abu Sneineh hills in Hevron.