• Published 00:00 20.11.07
  • Latest update 00:00 20.11.07

IDF chief says doesn't expect new intifada in wake of summit

Gabi Ashkenazi tells Knesset panel he does not expect terror organizations to try to torpedo the conference.

By Shahar Ilan Tags: Gilad Shalit Annapolis conference Gabi Ashkenazi IDF

Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said on Tuesday that he does not expect another intifada to break out in the Palestinian territories following the Middle East peace summit set for next week in Annapolis, Maryland.

Ashkenazi said that even if the summit should fail, he doesn't expect an uprising, despite some speculations.

The military chief told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that "the Palestinians are undergoing a sobering process. The street is very sober, and there is an atmosphere of needing to deal with day-to-day troubles."

Ashkenazi did say he expects that terror organizations will attempt to torpedo the conference. "We are prepared for different possibilities."

Regarding the government's decision to release 441 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to the Palestinian Authority ahead of the summit, Ashkenazi said he does not oppose the release of Palestinian prisoners in general, yet he does not think prisoners from the Gaza Strip should be freed as long as abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit remains in captivity in the coastal territory.

"We are not giving enough of a response, we won't be able to continue this way for much longer," he said.

IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi. (Tess Scheflan / Jini)

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  • 12. 0 0
    Akram Zekaria #2 - the PA canceled classes due to violence
    • Polybios
    • 21.11.07
    • 21:23

    Unsurprisingly, the story didn't make Haaretz. Yet, fighting between PFLP supporters and Fatah supporters has shut down classes at two Pal universities. Nails were driven into one Fatah-supporting student's feet by PFLP criminals. Students were fighting with clubs and knives, and maybe guns, too. The third intifada is underway already. Whether it's by Hamas against Fatah, or by the Pal people against Hamas, is just a matter of semantics. Either way, this time it's really between the Palestinians, over the soul of their movement and identity. I wish the best of luck to those who really want peace...

  • 11. 0 0
    Gaby Ashkenazi is probably right.
    • Fortuna Benmayor
    • 20.11.07
    • 22:28

    Gazan Hamastan is too tired and shaken to launch a full-flesged third terrorist genocide on Israelis. But specific terrorist massacres they may indeed attempt. Don't lower your guard, Israel.

  • 10. 0 0
    give them reasons not to turn to terror
    • roberta
    • 20.11.07
    • 20:25

    this conference should provide ground steps to increase freedoms and provide hope. the palestinians will never give up until they return. we have to hope that terror will subside when its reasons are gone

  • 9. 0 0
    Shahar Ilan parrot arab version of UN 242
    • Joseph E . post 2
    • 20.11.07
    • 20:22

    Unlike nation-states in Europe, modern Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian, and Iraqi nationalities did not evolve. They were arbitrarily created by colonial powers. The prevailing rationale behind these artificially created states was how they served the imperial and commercial needs of their colonial masters. Fifty-one member countries - the entire League of Nations - unanimously declared on July 24, 1922: "Whereas recognition has been given to the historical connection of the Jewish people with Israel and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country." Subsequently , Road Map requiring Israel to cede parts of its Jewish Homeland to arab-pal' empty promises , while their charters call for the dismantling of the Jewish State thru the fabrication of a jihad state, is 'applying double standards by requiring of [The Jewish State] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.' , Clearly, anti-Semitism comes in many forms ..

  • 8. 0 0
    Shahar Ilan parrot arab version of UN 242
    • Joseph E . post 1
    • 20.11.07
    • 20:20

    Shahar calls Judea and Samaria the heart of the Jewish Homeland as arab territories . Haaretz quote "intifada to break out in the Palestinian territories " , When it comes to arab 'withdrawal' brainwash slogan , it is the murderous arabs invaders that occupy the Jewish Homeland , it is the murderous arab violent occupier that must for peace withdraw from the Jewish Homeland , Deut.2:23. "But the Avim, who dwell in open cities, up till Gazathe Caphtorites, who came forth of Caphtor, exterminated them, and dwelt in their stead. " Rashi: "But the Avim who dwell in open cities." The Avim are of the Philistine people, for they are listed together with them in the Book of Joshua (13:3), as it says,"The five Philistine lords." The Gazites, the Ashdodites, the Ashkelonites, the Gittites, the Ekronites, and the Avim.", But because of the oath which Abraham had sworn to Abimelech, (Gen. 21:23-24), the Israelites were unable to take their land away from them; so I brought the Caphtorites against them, and they destroyed them and dwelt in their stead. Now, you are permitted to take it [the land of the Avim] from their [the Caphtorites'] possession (Chullin 60b). Similarily , the 1947 UN partition set an arab state (and not palestinian) , But in 1948 , 5 arabs armies attacked and invaded Judea , Samaria ect...and dwelt in the stead of the supposed arab state and the 5 arab armies invasion , occupation was Int'lly recognised as illegal , Now the jews were permitted to take possession of those lawfull historic Jewish Homeland and so it happened 2 decades later in 1967 , 2 decades during wich arab (pals) claimed no illegale arab occupation , neither self-determination , nor pal state , Plus it was Jordan who in 1967 attacked the young Jewish State despite that Jordan was previously warned by Israelis not to attack the Jewish State . So the Jews not only legally took possession of the Jewish Historical Homeland but also took it in a war of self defense , Stephen Schwebel, a former President of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, argued persuasively that Israel had a strong legal case in capturing land in the Six-Day War because Egypt and Jordan had belligerently and unlawfully conquered territory in 1948: the Gaza Strip (by Egypt) and the West Bank and east Jerusalem (by Jordan). Schwebel wrote that, "where the prior holder of territory had seized that territory unlawfully, the state which subsequently takes that territory in the lawful exercise of self-defense has against the prior holder, better title." Consequently , the increase and developement of every jewish outpost and settlements is a vital geo-strategic component of 'Israel Defensible Borders' , as a tool that leads to the withdrawal of such murderous Arab invader , arab violent occupier instead of the brainwashed leftie Shahar Ilan parroting arab version of UN 242 , moreover when arabs occupy lands the size of Russia and China combined ,

  • 7. 0 0
    Loss of Hope
    • Baz Mann
    • 20.11.07
    • 19:47

    As people lose hope for a better future, violence becomes an attractive alternative. All the ingredients for another Intifada are still present, the closures and cantonization of their communities will be the catalyst that will ignite it, it is just a matter of time.

  • 6. 0 0
    And POP lacks any credibility as usual
    • Yossi
    • 20.11.07
    • 19:15

    POP a-doodle, please learn the facts before you post again. You make a fool of yourself and anyone who reads your postings. Summary killings? You have to be kidding. I am a proud Israeli however if this was going on I would know. However, there are no summary killings. Take your frustrations out elsewhere, maybe get a job or go to school.

  • 5. 0 0
  • 4. 0 0
  • 3. 0 0
    Meanwhile Low Terror Level Expect Intifada W/in 6 Months or Less
    • Joseph E .
    • 20.11.07
    • 16:55

    enough time to train the new released terrorists

  • 2. 0 0
    The Two State is the best solution &The Intifada is the bonus.
    • Akram Zekaria
    • 20.11.07
    • 16:09

    "IDF chief says dosen't expect new Intifada in wake of summit" Ed Isn't it obvious ? As the Palestinians will be busy in their Intifada against the PLO. May this be like that for ever..It is the best Two State solution & the Intifada is the bonus. Keep them busy Israel and they will melt no one can blame you for that.

  • 1. 0 0
    But the IDF will commit Summary Killings, as usual.
    • POP
    • 20.11.07
    • 16:01

    The Israeli Occupational Forces will continue to Murder non-jew civilians with impunity.