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Last update - 09:48 28/03/2008 Do not reignite the flame By Haaretz Editorial Tags: IDF, Palestinians An investigation by B'Tselem into the deaths of four wanted Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces in Bethlehem on March 12, whose findings were published yesterday, reaches grave conclusions. The Israel Defense Forces had claimed the four armed men, three from Islamic Jihad and one from Fatah's military wing, were killed during an attempt to arrest them. But the B'Tselem report, based on interviews with Palestinian eyewitnesses, claims the four were shot and killed "in cold blood," without even being given a chance to turn themselves in. The testimony collected by B'Tselem justifies the appointment of an external investigator, such as a retired senior officer. It is hard to second-guess the judgments of a commander in the field faced with an armed enemy and the threat of injury to his soldiers. But for several years now, testimony has been piling up about elite police units operating in the territories (the Yamam counterterrorism unit and the Border Police's undercover unit) that have adopted an approach of "shoot first and ask questions later" during operations to arrest armed men. This testimony does not conform with the official responses, which always claim that the operations in question were attempted arrests, not assassinations. No less important than which rules of engagement the force was using is why this operation was approved at all, a mere week after relative quiet had been achieved in the Gaza Strip thanks to Egyptian mediation. Admittedly, Israel said it was reserving full rights to conduct counterterrorism operations in the West Bank regardless of what was happening in Gaza. But even the army and the Shin Bet security service acknowledge that the wanted men who were killed were not "ticking bombs." Rather, they were involved in a string of deadly attacks six years ago. Advertisement Was it necessary to arrest them immediately, when it was clear that there was a good chance of them being killed, and that the incident would lead to renewed fire on Sderot by Islamic Jihad, as indeed happened? A Haaretz investigation found that the operation was approved by senior officers in Central Command, with the knowledge of Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. This fact is eyebrow-raising: When the lull in Gaza is so fragile, Israel ought to make every effort to preserve it as long as the Palestinians do not reignite the flame of violent conflict. No less surprising is the defense minister's role in this affair. Barak heads a party that waves the banner of advancing the peace process with the Palestinians. But in practice, he has adopted a pessimistic and suspicious attitude toward the talks with the Palestinian Authority. Skepticism might be in order, but the problems begin when the defense minister turns it into a reason for inaction. On Wednesday, Barak hosted PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at his house and scattered promises about gestures to West Bank residents. In practice, however, Israel is still moving disturbingly slowly to fulfill its obligations, from those of the 2002 road map peace plan to those of the Annapolis conference last November. Past experience teaches that such promises will never be kept as long as army field officers do not receive explicit instructions to fulfill them. Barak must finally take steps to accelerate the diplomatic process and genuinely improve life for residents of the West Bank. It would be better if the Palestinians did not see the incident in Bethlehem as the essence of Israeli policy. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Terror online Israel posts clips on YouTube of J'lem yeshiva terror attack. Remembering Gaza Knesset approves bill to commemorate the Jewish settlements of Gush Katif.   1.   IGNITING FLAME 16:47  |  CHARLIE ROME 28/03/08   2.   If peace depends on Barak... 19:19  |  Chanalau, Tova 28/03/08   3.   Barak has never wanted peace 19:30  |  Marilyn 28/03/08   4.   the flame 19:36  |  JL 28/03/08   5.   The idiots at Haaretz still believe there is a country called 00:06  |  Andreas 29/03/08   6.   The idiots at Haaretz still believe there is a country called 00:08  |  Andreas 29/03/08   7.   the only regret that anybody should have is........... 06:42  |  bill Pearlman 29/03/08   8.   israel generational check 06:55  |  Giacomo 29/03/08   9.   # 5and 6 # Andreas & the idiots 08:02  |  bossman 29/03/08   10.   Since Rabins death... 11:02  |  Lobo08 29/03/08   11.   This is why the State of Israel has to be dismantled! 12:59  |  Dutch Dirk 29/03/08   12.   You selected wrong witnesses 17:37  |  Robert 29/03/08   13.   Dutch Dirk after your recent fillm on Islam, it is Holland which 19:41  |  Deutsch Dork 29/03/08   14.   Dutchy,when was the last time you called for dismantling of Sudan 06:56  |  Genuine Tosefta 30/03/08

Today Online Dutch MP's anti-Islam film shows clerics' calls to behead Jews Responses: 621 Hamas gets Iranian plans for improved Qassams Responses: 178 Avigdor Lieberman: Israel's minorities must be loyal to the Jewish state Responses: 131 UN: Ex-Lebanon PM Hariri killed by criminal network Responses: 117 Ex-Muslim says converted to Christianity due to Islam's anti-Zionism Responses: 162 More Headlines 07:25 Top official: PM has communicated with Assad to test his desire for peace 03:04 UN wants UNIFIL to have full responsibility in northern Ghajar 01:04 Anti-Syrian protesters march in Beirut in wake of Arab summit 01:37 UN officials: Syria still suspected in Lebanese PM murder case 07:11 ANALYSIS: IDF ups Gaza ground ops in face of heavier rocket fire 04:35 Anti-Islam film 'Fitna' draws Dutch Jewish condemnations 02:51 Genealogy Web site attempts to map out entire Jewish people 07:12 Knesset to vote on benefits, shorter duty for IDF reservists 01:19 Palestinians: IDF kills 2 Gazans; 4 others wounded in IAF strike 08:37 Rice arrives in Israel, urges improvements in West Bank life 05:54 PMO prepares 2009 budget without consulting Finance Ministry 07:18 Conference aims to address problems faced by Israeli stutterers Previous Editions Select Day 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar

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