Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Sunday morning told the cabinet that Abu Mazen and the PA security forces have not "lifted a finger" to combat terrorism and said that the IDF had now been given a free hand to combat Arab terrorism in Gaza. In a radio interview today, Minister-Without-Portfolio Tzachi Hanegbi summarized his take on the government's stance thus: "Abu Mazen has been exposed as Arafat without the army fatigues."
PA security officers are suspected of involvement in the multi-pronged attack Thursday evening that killed six at the Karni Crossing, according to senior defense officials quoted in the Washington Post. The bombers and gunmen who carried out the attack were let through several levels of PA security to reach the targeted area, according to the officials.
Preliminary results of an IDF and Israel Port Authority inquiry show that the terrorists were given forged entry permits and granted entry to the Karni facility by members of the PA security force. The terrorists arrived by truck, with a bomb and guns hidden beneath produce. The three terrorists attached the bomb to the heavy gate between the PA and Israeli sides of the Karni facility. After the bomb went off, knocking out the power in the terminal, the terrorists passed though to the Israeli side and began shooting at Israeli drivers and security guards before they were themselves killed. Videos of the explosion and the terrorists were broadcast on PA TV stations in Gaza later that same evening.
Friday, all commercial crossings into Gaza were closed and a spokesman for Prime Minister Sharon told reporters that Israel had informed international leaders that there would be no meetings with Abu Mazen until he makes a real effort to stop terrorism.
Abbas, on the eve of a swearing-in ceremony declaring him Arafat’s official successor, said he was upset with Israel for holding him responsible for the attack even though he had yet to be sworn in.
At the ceremony Saturday, Abbas restated his declaration that he would not use force against terrorist groups in the PA, but would instead try to negotiate a truce. The new PA leader also said he was ready to move further along the “Road Map,” promising not to settle for any “partial solutions” in future negotiations with Israel.
Abbas described Thursday’s attack as a “Palestinian response" to “Israeli occupation.” In his speech he said: “A number of events happened, both from our side and by the Israeli occupation, as well as Palestinian responses, which do not help calm the situation."
Officials in the Prime Minister’s office said that Abu Mazen’s statement was disappointing because he did not signal how he planned on ending the terrorist attacks against Israel.
Abu Mazen had barely held his new position for a day when he found his legitimacy challenged by his own governing apparatus. 46 PA election officials resigned to protest irregularities and fraud in the January 9 vote that ended in a landslide victory for the longtime PLO chief.
PA security officers are suspected of involvement in the multi-pronged attack Thursday evening that killed six at the Karni Crossing, according to senior defense officials quoted in the Washington Post. The bombers and gunmen who carried out the attack were let through several levels of PA security to reach the targeted area, according to the officials.
Preliminary results of an IDF and Israel Port Authority inquiry show that the terrorists were given forged entry permits and granted entry to the Karni facility by members of the PA security force. The terrorists arrived by truck, with a bomb and guns hidden beneath produce. The three terrorists attached the bomb to the heavy gate between the PA and Israeli sides of the Karni facility. After the bomb went off, knocking out the power in the terminal, the terrorists passed though to the Israeli side and began shooting at Israeli drivers and security guards before they were themselves killed. Videos of the explosion and the terrorists were broadcast on PA TV stations in Gaza later that same evening.
Friday, all commercial crossings into Gaza were closed and a spokesman for Prime Minister Sharon told reporters that Israel had informed international leaders that there would be no meetings with Abu Mazen until he makes a real effort to stop terrorism.
Abbas, on the eve of a swearing-in ceremony declaring him Arafat’s official successor, said he was upset with Israel for holding him responsible for the attack even though he had yet to be sworn in.
At the ceremony Saturday, Abbas restated his declaration that he would not use force against terrorist groups in the PA, but would instead try to negotiate a truce. The new PA leader also said he was ready to move further along the “Road Map,” promising not to settle for any “partial solutions” in future negotiations with Israel.
Abbas described Thursday’s attack as a “Palestinian response" to “Israeli occupation.” In his speech he said: “A number of events happened, both from our side and by the Israeli occupation, as well as Palestinian responses, which do not help calm the situation."
Officials in the Prime Minister’s office said that Abu Mazen’s statement was disappointing because he did not signal how he planned on ending the terrorist attacks against Israel.
Abu Mazen had barely held his new position for a day when he found his legitimacy challenged by his own governing apparatus. 46 PA election officials resigned to protest irregularities and fraud in the January 9 vote that ended in a landslide victory for the longtime PLO chief.