RAMALLAH, 5 February 2004 — A comprehensive crackdown on armed factions can only take place when Israel pulls out of the occupied territories, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s national security advisor said yesterday.
Israel has consistently accused the Palestinians of failing their commitments in the roadmap peace plan by not stopping attacks by hard-line groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, demanding a dismantling of the “terrorist infrastructure.”
But Jibril Al-Rajub, who was tasked by Arafat in the summer to revamp the security services, said that while the Palestinian Authority (PA) was committed to the rule of law, its hands were partly tied by the continued presence of the Israeli Army in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
“The PA is committed to the reforms of the security services and to restore the rule of law,” he told members of the Foreign Press Association at a briefing here.
But prompted about the prospects of a crackdown on militant groups, he said, “We can’t make order and restore the rule of law without Israeli cooperation.”
Palestinian Premier Ahmed Qorei failed to persuade groups such as Hamas to agree to a new truce or even a pledge to halt attacks on civilians in Israel at talks in Egypt last December.
“As soon as there is an Israeli withdrawal we have the solutions and capabilities to restore law and order but not as long as Israel continues its invasions and policy of assassinations,” Rajub said.
“As soon as Sharon recognizes the West Bank and Gaza Strip (as Palestinian territory) and the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, we will deal with such individuals” behind the attacks.
Rajub said that groups such as Hamas had shown signs of softening their traditional position which rejects Israel’s right to exist.
“There have been positive hints from Hamas (spiritual) leader Ahmed Yassin recognizing that Hamas may accept a Palestinian state within the ‘67 borders,” he said, referring to the 1967 war when Israel seized the West Bank and Gaza.
“There is a consensus among the Palestinian people and Palestinian factions that the way to achieve peace and stability is to recognize Israel’s right to exist.
“Even the (Islamic) fundamentalist groups started recognizing that issue and are taking a pragmatic view.”
Rajub expressed skepticism over the motives behind Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s announcement that he planned to evacuate all Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip as part of a larger package of unilateral measures.
“The question is whether such unilateral initiatives (are designed) to circumvent regional and international pressures against him,” he said. “I hope Sharon is not bluffing us and bypassing the implementation of the roadmap.”
