Hebron, (May 23, 2001)

Last night Prime Minister Ariel Sharon answered questions following his dramatic press conference, announcing Israeli acceptance and compliance with the Mitchell Report. One of the final questions dealt with’settler security.’ Sharon remarked that he guaranteed the security of all Israeli settlements.

With that, David Bedein, Bureau Chief of the Israel Resource News Agency, interrupted, “what about Abu Sneneh?” Sharon, who until that moment appeared relaxed and poised, look down at his notes and stiffened.

Again, Bedein asked, “what about Abu Sneneh?” Sharon, looking more than mildly upset, walked off the stage, not answering the question, not saying a word.

{From the hills of Abu Sneneh. PLO snipers have targeted the Jews of Hebron for months. While the IDF has responded elsewhere to such shooting, the IDF has yet to respond in Hebron}

Only moments before, Sharon outlined the measures to be taken:

  1. A total and unconditional cessation of violence and terrorism.
  2. A meaningful cooling off period.
  3. Implementing confidence building measures.
  4. Resuming political negotiations.

That having been said, Defense Minister Ben Eliezer issued a new military command: “Due to the ceasefire, all pre-emptive shooting must be halted, excluding life-threatening situations, or a reaction to firing on Israeli soldiers or rescuing of wounded soldiers. Any entrance into Area A territory requires political authorization.”

What has happened since?

  • Last night, at 12:00 midnight, Arabs started shooting in Hebron. The IDF was not able to identify the ‘source of shooting’ and did not respond.
  • Early this afternoon two men were shot at the community of Ariel in the Shomron. One of the men died on the operating table a short time ago. The other was wounded.
  • Gilo was again attacked by Arafat’s armed forces. An 84 year old man was hit and seriously wounded. A woman was also injured. Other homes were struck by Arab gunfire.
  • The Jewish community Tekoa was again shot at and 3 houses were hit, no one was injured.
  • Kol Yisrael radio announced that Israeli security forces arrested a Gazza resident, owner of a metal-casting factory. This man admitted that he cast thousands of parts for mortars for Gaza Civil Police head Brig. Gen. Ghazi Jabali. He said that he recently had an order for 10,000 improved 120mm mortars from Jabali. The GSS says that Yasser Arafat was aware of the operation.

The Arab also reported that Gaza Preventive Security head, Col. Muhammad Dahlan, also ordered 120mm mortars from him.

And finally, to climax this wonderful day, (at least, up to this writing), the Sharon administration announced that, despite today’s shootings, despite the murder of another Israeli civilian, the ceasefire would continue!

Thomas Friedman, in a column in the New York Times titled, “The Big Mideast Problem is Arafat,” after blasting Israel’s settlement policy, writes, “But the settlements are not the core problem. The core problem now is that Yasser Arafat cannot say “yes”…he launched this idiotic uprising…because he is essentially a political coward and maneuverer, who apparently has not given up his long-term aim of eliminating Israel…” Friedman concludes, “The real problem is that the Palestinians are leaderless today…”

Friedman’s initial analysis is 100% correct. However, his conclusion is wrong.

The Arab leadership, namely Arafat, Rajoub, Dachlan Tiraway, Barghuti, Jabali, and all the others, are an accurate reflection of so-called’palestinian’ public opinion. They reject the existence of a Jewish state. The reject the concept of anyone other than Moslems living in the Middle East. They fully accept use of brutal, primitive violence to achieve their aims. They will stop at nothing if they really believe their goal is achievable.

What Friedman forgets is that Arafat was elected, as were many of his cronies. His’people’ knew exactly who and what they were electing, and they received what they voted for. Arafat represents them, they are Arafat’s warriors, they are inciting, they are perpetrating the terror attacks, killing Israelis, shooting at our cars and houses.

The problem is not only Arafat. The problem is the entire’Palestinian Authority’, predecessor of the planned’Palestinian State.’

The question that begs to be answered deals not with the Arabs. It concerns Ariel Sharon. What is his problem? What is preventing him from lashing back at those who are attacking Gilo in our capital, at those shooting and killing innocent civilians, at those sniping from the Shalhevet (Abu Sneneh) and Harat a’Shech hills, into Hebron neighborhoods and apartments? Is it possible that the quintessential war hero, Ariel Sharon, is…….. afraid?

What else could be stopping Sharon? Perhaps George W. and Collin, Husni and Bashar, teamed up with Yasser, and let’s not forget Shimon, the 2 Yossis, with Avraham and Bibi watching and waiting from the sidelines, and maybe Fuad too, —- together they…… scare Ariel Sharon?

Perhaps when Sharon sees Arafat, he thinks he is seeing a 21st century Goliath?

When King Saul stared out at Goliath in the Elah Valley, less than an hour from Hebron, he saw what looked like a giant, ranting and raving, taunting, cursing the G-d of Israel.

When David looked at Goliath, he saw Israel’s honor defiled. When Saul gaped at Goliath he was filled with dread. When David gazed at Goliath he said, “Let no man’s heart fail within him.”

And the Philistine (Arafat) said to David (Israel): ‘Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.’

Was this not perpetrated in Ramallah and again, two weeks ago, at Tekoa?

Then said David to the Philistine:

‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to thee in the name of the L-RD of hosts, the G-d of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast taunted.”

Arafat, like Goliath, is toying with Israel’s honor, he is taunting and cursing our People, our Land, our G-d. The peoples of the world are observing. All Israel is watching, waiting, expecting. Our eyes are on our leader, anointed by the people to annihilate the enemy.

Who is Arik? Is he David? Or is he Saul?

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