The message in Palestinian condemnation of terror on grounds of efficacy

Dr. Aaron Lerner
IMRA
Weekly Commentary
11 February '10

Compare and contrast:

"A loathsome, criminal act of murder was committed today at a site holy to both Jews and Arabs in Hebron.The Prime Minister and Defense Minister, government ministers and citizens of the State of Israel severely condemn this terrible murder of innocent people, which occurred during Ramadan prayer services."
Statement by Prime Minister Rabin on the Murders in Hebron, 25 February 1994.

'This incident condemned by us, which is incompatible with the Palestinian national interests, and with the efforts of the Palestinian National Authority, as well as with the commitments they have undertaken.. violence that has been proven to cause damage to the higher interests of our people."
Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad 10 February 2010

The differences are hardly subtle.

When an Israeli prime minister condemns an attack by a Jew against Palestinians he condemns it because it is in and of itself a "loathsome, criminal act."

When a Palestinian prime minister condemns an attack by a Palestinian against an Israeli, he condemns it because it is "incompatible with the Palestinian national interests."

And this isn't the first time.

In point of fact, official Palestinian condemnations of terror against Israelis consistently condemn it on the basis of its efficacy (does not serve interests) rather than because it is simply wrong.

Look back at the details of the charges that PA prosecutors have filed against the few Palestinian terrorists that they jailed (mostly in order to protect them from Israeli justice) and - that's right - they weren't sentenced for murdering Israelis but instead for acting "against Palestinian interests".

This isn't just a technical matter.

It goes to the very heart of the nature of how the Palestinian leadership relates to Israel.

And it should serve as an important warning for policy makers.

If the reason it is wrong to murder Israelis today is that it doesn't serve Palestinian interests and not that it is simply wrong to murder Israelis then what happens if circumstances are such that it does serve Palestinian interests to murder Israelis?

And given that this is the case, what restrictions are necessary for the arming, training, etc. of Palestinian security forces?
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