Fatah, Hamas, the Popular and Democratic Fronts and other
Palestinian political and terror groupings issued a joint
statement strongly opposing the security role proposed for
Egypt and Jordan in the territories once Israel withdraws.
The Palestinian Authority officially supports Israel's
disengagement plan and Egypt's involvement in helping to
implement it.
The statement said: "We are amazed by, and deplore, the talk
of a `security role' for some Arab parties in Gaza and the
West Bank, because our people expect the Arab nation to act
according to the logic of supporting the Palestinians and not
the logic of `security,' which cannot be used with regard to
the Palestinian people defending its land and its holy
places. The references [to security] turn things on their
heads, making the problem the Palestinian people and not the
occupation."
The statement followed an emergency meeting of the parties --
most officially recognized by the US and the EU as terrorist
organizations -- in Gaza. Omar Suleiman, Egypt's head of
intelligence who is coordinating the Egyptian effort to
guarantee an orderly and stable Gaza after the Israeli
withdrawal, is scheduled to make a return trip to Israel and
the PA this week.
The statement attacks Egypt and Jordan and calls the role
envisioned for the two "as an attempt to take over the
Palestinian problem." It was the most severe criticism so far
by the organizations of Egypt's role in preparing for the
disengagement and the intentions they ascribe to Jordan and
its role in the West Bank.
"The Palestinian people will not accept the logic of
guardianship and turning the Palestinians into apprentices
instead of adopting a combined Palestinian and Arab policy"
based on solidarity and joint action.
The announcement says it regards an Israeli withdrawal from
Gaza as a victory for the armed struggle and it rejects any
attempt to demand any quid pro quo from the Palestinians for
it.
The statement says the disengagement is dangerous "because it
expands settlements in the West Bank and isolates Gaza from
the conflict, creating an internal Palestinian crisis, and it
attempts to decide the conflict with developments on the
ground that are supported by the United States, Israel's
ally."
The statement comes amid mounting opposition in Gaza to the
Egyptian plan presented to Yasser Arafat by intelligence boss
Suleiman three weeks ago, and particularly the plan to bring
15 Egyptian security experts and advisors into Gaza.
So far, no definitions have been drawn up for the role of the
security advisors. The plan includes consolidating
Palestinian security forces into three main units, the
appointment of an interior minister and the transfer of
powers from Arafat to Ahmed Qurei, the prime minister.
Opposition has come from within Fatah and Hamas, which
expects the initiation of the plan to mark the start of
operations to dismantle armed factions in Gaza. Along the
Philadelphi corridor, the Egyptians are expected to step up
efforts to stop smuggling. Rashid Abu Shbak, head of
Preventive Security in Gaza, said a few days ago that "Egypt
is not trying to impose a solution on our people and I don't
think Egypt will take on a security role in our territory. We
have given the factions, including Hamas, guarantees to that
effect."
Abu Shbak, considered to be a proxy for Mohammed Dahlan,
criticized those who are attacking Egyptian efforts. He
accused the critics of "trying to strike fear in the public
about the Egyptian role, which we welcome."
Incitement against the Egyptian role has stepped up
dramatically in recent days to a point where there is now
concern about possible terror attacks or provocations aimed
to drive the Egyptians out.
A Hamas source speaking to Ha'aretz called the
Egyptian experts "the long arm of Sharon for implementing his
plan." Hamas leaders are afraid to identify themselves for
fear of being targeted in anti-terror efforts.
Last week's meeting between PA Prime Minister Qurei and
President Hosni Mubarak and other Egyptian officials did
little to dispel the fog around Arafat's position.
Along with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the Fatah affiliated Al
Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were also critical of the Egyptian
plan.
In related news, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe
Ya'alon has defended the destruction of terrorists' houses,
saying last Sunday that neighbors and family members of
Palestinian would-be suicide bombers have come forward with
information to prevent pending attacks in an effort to spare
their homes from demolition.
Israel has come under harsh international criticism for
demolishing homes of Palestinian suicide bombers.
Ya'alon also said that the recent calm is deceptive, and that
the motivation of terror groups to carry out attacks is
higher than usual.
He also reported over 70 terror attacks in the last week:
seven shootings on the highways; one instance of shooting at
Kfar Darom; 32 shootings attacks on security forces; 12 cases
of mortar fire in the Gaza Strip; five rocket attacks,
including one at Sderot; and 19 mine and antitank attacks on
forces in the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with
Egypt.
