Israel’s so-called policy of restraint is fraying at the seams. From incursions into Palestinian-controlled territory to demolition of Palestinian homes, it has now resumed its policy of selectively assassinating Palestinian leaders believed to be involved in planning attacks against Israel, starting with a hit-list of 25 chosen activists, possibly including Yasser Arafat himself.
Israelis have killed more than 40 Palestinians through extra-judicial executions since the uprising. The last officially declared hit was the murder of three Islamic Jihad activists by helicopter rockets near Jenin of July 1. The Israeli Cabinet not only publicly admitted the assassinations policy; at Ariel Sharon’s prompting, it also approved its expansion to include both Palestinians en route to commit armed attacks and those wanted by Israel but as yet not arrested by the Palestinian Authority.
And now Israel might be training its sights on much higher figures. According to a recent article in Maariv, Israel’s elite internal security apparatus, Shabak, prepared a report in October concluding that the absence from the scene of Arafat would be to the benefit for Israel. The report was presented to then Prime Minister Ehud Barak but he did no act on the recommendation. Israeli generals are apparently more than willing to do so. They have updated plans for an all-out assault to smash the PA and force out Arafat. The blueprint, called “The destruction of the Palestinian Authority and disarmament of all armed forces”, and published by the influential Foreign Report, is chilling. The assault would be launched at the government’s discretion after the next big bomb attack in Israel that would cause widespread deaths and injuries, citing the bloodshed as justification. The generals envision a military operation of up to one month. Estimated Israeli casualties would be in the hundreds; Palestinian losses would be in the thousands. By the end of the operation, the generals believe Arafat would either have left or been forced to leave the Palestinian territories. The blueprint does not say Arafat should be killed but its title suggests as much.
Most, if not all, Israeli Cabinet ministers are in favor of assassinating Palestinian political leaders, sharing the view of Environment Minister Tzachi Hanegbi that if an Israeli attack brings about a new force instead of Arafat, that would not be a negative result for Israel.
World condemnation has naturally been swift. President Hosni Mubarak called the report unbelievable. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was deeply disturbed by the Israeli decision to target Palestinian officials and urged the Jewish state to stop the practice forthwith.
The French said it was in nobody’s interest to weaken Arafat, including the Israelis, and that it would be counterproductive. Secretary of State Colin Powell was also critical but it remains unclear what Washington intends to do about it. Indeed, Arafat is the supreme authority recognized by the Palestinians. As such, what he says is law and he has ordered his police to end mortar attacks from Palestinian-run territory and has warned that anyone caught firing would be subject to trial. His forces have made several arrests in response to the month-old cease-fire plan. And he is on record as saying he does not agree to any form of attack on Palestinian or Israeli civilians. Just as important, Arafat has recognized the state of Israel, is committed to the peace process and, unlike Israel, is ready to negotiate. Instead of characterizing him a murderer and a pathological liar, and entertaining thoughts of his elimination, Sharon should consider Arafat a partner and interlocutor.
The Israeli Cabinet may well have the dubious distinction of being the only government currently in power to hold regular meetings to approve assassination lists. But then, there are few states as adept at violating laws and none who can get away with it as easily as Israel. Perhaps this tells more about Israel’s chief supporter than about Israel itself.
