Israel is now on the highest security alert with hundreds of
police and security personnel establishing roadblocks around
the nation's cities and towns after a wave of six suicide
murderers killed twelve, Hy"d, over the past four
days. We put our trust in the Shomer Yisroel, but we have to
do as much as we can ourselves.
The latest series of attacks came after months of relative
calm. The last such attack in Jerusalem before the recent one
was six months ago.
Three people were killed and some 50 wounded, 13 of them
seriously, in a suicide bombing, apparently committed by a
woman, at the entrance to Afula's Ha'amakim Mall on Monday
evening. Responsibility for the attack was claimed jointly by
Fatah's Aksa Martyrs Brigades and Islamic Jihad.
The woman was prevented from entering the mall by two
security guards, a man and a woman. As they checked her with
a scanner which emitted a warning beep, she detonated the
bomb that was apparently strapped to her body.
The male guard, reportedly a new immigrant from the former
Soviet Union who started work a week ago, was killed. The
woman guard is seriously injured.
Police said it appeared the device was composed of up to five
kilograms of high quality explosive and was not packed with
nails or other metal objects as in many previous cases.
It was the fifth terrorist attack since Saturday night when
Dina and Gadi Levy were killed in Hebron, followed by the bus
bombing in Jerusalem on Sunday that left seven dead and
several wounded, the abortive attack shortly after on the
northern outskirts of the capital in which only the terrorist
was killed, and a bicycle bomber who blew himself up near an
IDF jeep in the Gaza Strip early Monday, lightly wounding
three soldiers.
Hamas claimed responsibility for all those earlier attacks.
In addition, reservists on Sunday killed two terrorists from
Fatah's Aksa Martyrs Brigade and thwarted their attempted
infiltration into Sha'arei Tikva in western Samaria.
According to Israeli security officials, there have been more
than 50 attempted attacks in the three weeks since Abbas took
office.
Police Insp.-Gen. Shlomo Aharonishky ordered the cancellation
of all police leaves to reinforce cities and towns and try to
plug gaps along the seam-line.
Aharonishky, who had been observing security preparations for
Lag B'omer at the tomb of Reb Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount
Meron, said a security fence along the seam-line would make
the task of the police easier. He said the work is
progressing satisfactorily.
Afula has suffered from numerous terrorist attacks, including
four since the outbreak of violence in September 2000,
primarily because of its proximity to the West Bank. There
was no specific warning on Monday that it was a target for an
attack, although security in the area was high because of the
general alert.
Police sources said it appeared that the latest wave of
terror attacks and attempts is not yet over, and they
reiterated calls for the public to be vigilant and
immediately report any suspicious persons, vehicles, or
objects without hesitation.
In response, the government contemplated expelling Yasser
Arafat, who they said is behind the bombings. Many observers
say that the attacks are aimed at foiling the new government
of prime minister Abbas (Abu Mazen) which is trying to wrest
power away from Arafat.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said: "With the appointment of
Abu Mazen, we have entered a new and complex reality."
The PA leadership is now divided between Arafat and Abbas,
with each one looking out for their own interests, Mofaz
said. Arafat's central interest is the failure of diplomatic
initiatives. "He has done everything to strengthen and
support terror, with the intent of wanting Abu Mazen to
fail," he said.
One Palestinian official said that Abbas would also have to
leave if Arafat were expelled. He said Abbas, who is seen by
many Palestinians as an American puppet, would face
accusations of colluding with Israel and the US in getting
rid of Arafat. PA sources pointed out that the majority of
the commanders of the PA security forces remain loyal to
Arafat and have made it clear that they will not take orders
from anyone else.
Sharon said that the army and the security forces intend to
continue with their war against terror at all times in all
places in all ways until "we see that someone on the other
side can do it."
Sharon's dilemma now is how to continue fighting terror
without undermining Abbas to such an extent that he will be
too weak either to negotiate a cease-fire or to use force
against terrorists. If Israel continues targeted killings and
major raids, Palestinians may see Abbas as a straw man who
has done nothing. If Sharon holds back, Hamas may be
encouraged to launch even bigger attacks on the assumption
that Israel will not retaliate.
Another major Israeli dilemma is what to do about Arafat. His
alleged role in encouraging terror and deliberately
undermining Abbas has led to renewed calls for his expulsion.
Many believe that there cannot be cease fire as long as
Arafat is active.
Meanwhile, Washington expressed determination to proceed with
the road map that it recently delivered to the parties. The
White House, while expressing understanding for Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to delay his visit, is
searching for a new date for his meeting with President
George W. Bush. It wants the meeting as soon as possible.
Several sources said that a meeting before June 1, when Bush
travels to France for the Group of Eight summit, is
unlikely.
On Monday, a clearly frustrated Bush pledged to press ahead
with the road map. Saying "the road map still stands," he
called it "sad and pathetic" that some "cannot stand the
thought of peace."
Bush called on countries in the region to stop funding to
terrorists and urged Europe to work with the US "to do
everything we can to discourage terrorist activities that
derail a process towards peace."
