The Wages of CBM's

Soccer Dad
05 September '10

CBM= Confidence building measure

Last week, in New Chance for Peace the editors of the New York Times observed that:

There are other positive currents. Violence against Israelis is down. Palestinian security forces are increasingly competent at policing the West Bank. Palestinian authorities have clamped down on incitement, including removing imams and teachers who encourage attacks against Israelis. More can still be done.

Last week's terror attack, I think, raises questions about the competence of the security forces. The murders of the Israelis was clearly planned suggesting an infrastructure. Yet apparently the Palestinian police were unaware of the cells or unwilling to take action against the planners. The ability of Hamas to operate even where the PA is nominally in control, is certainly a sobering reminder of the PA's weakness. Nor should we forget that, in the past, the PA police have been responsible for terror.

During an investigation by the Shin Bet security service, the two let it be known that a third person was also involved in the incident: They said that Fadi Jama', also in the National Security organization of the Palestinian Authority, gave them the weapons they used in the attack.

And while the PA may be taking action against some who preach incitement, it's hardly comprehensive. (More likely the PA's taking action against Hamas affiliated preachers and teachers as part of a power struggle.) The leaders of the PA continue to engage in incitement so at best its effort is selective. So when the Times featured a followup editorial maybe it would demonstrate some dampened enthusiasm for the Palestinian commitment to peace. Yesterday, in Another start for peace talks, the editors were even more enthusiastic.

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