Israel and Palestinians pass the Jericho test
Security cooperation between Israel and PA is improving despite stalled talks, write Harel and Issacharoff.
By Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel Tags: Palestinian Authority Israel news West BankIsrael's decision to include Rachel's Tomb and the Tomb of the Patriarchs in its list of protected sites seems to have been taken without proper consideration.
Within just a few days, the government decided to include these sites, even though they did not appear in the initial draft. The government failed to take into account the price it would have to pay for the decision: Palestinian opposition.
The breaches of the peace in Hebron on Monday morning, in which IDF soldiers clashed with Palestinian youths, are a direct result of a decision that was not examined seriously.
Contrary to the accounts of right-wing activists who forcibly entered Jericho on Sunday, it is not particularly difficult for Jews to pray at the ancient Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue, the final destination of the group that entered Palestinian-controlled city. The synagogue was the target of an arson attack nine and a half years ago, at the beginning of the second intifada, but has since been restored by the Palestinian Authority.
The Israel Defense Forces allows organized visits to the site, with necessary security arrangements, on a weekly basis. For their part, the Palestinians help in this effort because they have an interest in showing they are fulfilling their obligations under the Oslo Accords to allow freedom of worship.
Yesterday afternoon, however, the right-wing Jewish visitors bypassed an IDF checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho to enter the city.
As luck would have it, security coordination between Israel and the PA today is so close that a request by the head of the IDF's Civil Administration, Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai, was enough to persuade the Palestinian security forces to withdraw, and to permit the IDF to peacefully resolve the situation.
Yesterday evening, Israeli soldiers and Border Policemen the right-wing visitors from the site. In earlier times, such an incident could have ended quite badly. Yet, against the backdrop of three years of improved security cooperation, Israeli forces were able to step in and take control of the "unruly children."
Even during the winter, when temperatures in Jericho are quite comfortable, it is still a relatively quiet city - apparently the quietest in the West Bank. A provocation by right-wing settlers, however, is among the scenarios that most concern the Shin Bet security service and the army in the area. The biggest worry is of a more flagrant religiously related incident - not like yesterday's incursion into the synagogue - such as an attack against an Islamic holy site. For example, the vandalism of a mosque a few months ago in the village of Yasuf (the perpetrators of which have not yet been brought to justice) could have sparked a bloodbath.
Despite disagreements on the diplomatic level between Israel and the PA, a situation has been created on the ground in the West Bank in which friction has been greatly reduced between the two sides.
The best proof of that is the rocket that the Palestinian Authority security services managed to find in a village close to the city of Modi'in. The transferred this rockets into the hands of Israel Police and through that, probably saved the lives of Israelis.
For the first time in a decade, daily life goes on peacefully in most parts of the West Bank, although the proximity of Jewish settlements means there is no total separation of the two populations.
Posted by Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff on February 22, 2010
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For those readers who don't live in Israel, a few facts: Arabs are allowed into Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, and the rest of the country. Jews are allowed very limited access to Jewish holy sites in Shchem and Yericho, and are not allowed to pray at all on the Temple Mount. Christians are allowed into all Christian holy sites in Israel.
has obviously never been to Israel. Arabs regularly visit both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, provided they are not carrying bombs or knives or guns. Unfortunately, there is no barrier against those who would perpetrate murder by throwing stones from atop the Temple Mount, an act which occurs so frequently it no longer is news in Israel, nor in the outside world. Christian Arabs frequently pray at the holy sites in Jerusalem, while Jews are barred from praying at the site of the temple.
It seems that this decision was very deliberate by those that pushed for it and those that agreed it. Rather than trying to come to agreement with the PA over these sites, the intention was to bypass the PA, assert Israeli authority and control over West Bank sites, and humiliate Palestinians and their leaders. It worked very well.
So, Israel and Palestinians passed the 'Jericho test'? What about graduating, let's say with a 'Jerusalem Test' or 'Tel Aviv Test', allowing WB-Palestinian to visit those places?
I am a Palestinian. Although I may have major differences with Israelis on political points. I, like most Israelis prefer to live in a secure place. The only way that the Palestinian security forces can function and not be undermined is with the full cooperation of the Israeli security services. Empower the Palestinians to take control on the ground, especially where loopholes (security threats and crime) often occur. These are areas B and C (areas under Israeli security administration) where Palestinians are prohibited to act and Israelis choose not to act unless it involves Israeli security. The last thing Israel needs is lawlessness and chaos in a territory near impossible to separate from. A safe West Bank is better for me, as a Palestinian, and Israel.
Apparently, the Israeli police showed they couldn't enforce anything against the right wing. They let those "arrested" walk. That will certainly encourage the PA security forces to keep those they arrest in jail until trial.
While the Palestinian authority prevents us the original owners of the site to get into our house located on top of the mosaic site, it keeps on allowing the settlers to visit. The site is owned by the SHAHWAN family of Jerusalem. Upon the arrival of the PA, the minister of justice cancelled the Israeli decision of confiscation of the land and decided to return the land to the original owners. The family agreed to make any required special arrangements with the Palestinian authority to allow free access to all visitors ( this has been the case since 1967 when the family was living in the house on top of the site). The PA continues its position of preventing the family to enter the house. This is leading to a legal case in Palestinian courts to start very soon.
Undoubtedly this Jericho test will lead to a Palestinian State!!
Not sure why harel and Issacharoff are so chuffed today. All that's happened is the usual. Jews are allowed to do pretty much what they want while Pals are forced out of the way. And can you even begin to imagine the opposite happening? How about Pals wanting to visit a holy site within a settlement or within Israel? Would they be allowed to? Would the IDF back off to allow PA security to control the situation? LOL
First of all, the army once again showed impotence in dealing with rightist protestors. They had no business being in Jericho, it was clearly a provocative act and they should have been stopped before they could enter. They seem hellbend on making trouble in even the quietest of the Westbank towns. As for the coordination....I think the IDF just ordered the Palestinians policeforce out. I am surprised the protestors were eventually arrested.....
The tone of this article is quite surprising. I understand the two groups live in close proximity, but the many many articles about violence is a big contrast with this journal entry. Next thing I'll be reading about a Palestinian-Settler restaurant where everyone is buddy-buddy. I could probably think immediately of ten reasons this is odd, but instead I would simply say bon appetit. Good luck to all whose tempers are not unduly violent.