During a briefing at the Israel Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared this week that the Palestinian Authority (PA), operating under the umbrella of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) a designated terrorist organization, “must be preserved.”
This statement raises serious concerns, considering the PA’s role in promoting terrorism, denouncing Israel’s legitimacy and the Authority’s complicity in armed attacks against Jewish civilians.
It is alarming to note that the PA school system has become a breeding ground for terrorism, perpetuating a cycle of violence. Furthermore, the PA consistently denounces the legitimacy of a Jewish state in various international forums, exhibiting a refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist. The PA’s actions, including its involvement in armed attacks against Israeli citizens, are indicative of a state of war rather than a commitment to peace.
Even more concerning is the active participation of the Palestine Security Forces (PSF), trained by Israel to assist the IDF, in hundreds of armed attacks against Jewish individuals traveling on highways. The confirmation by senior Israel Cabinet Minister Avi Dichter, who formerly headed the Shabak General Security Services, underscores the gravity of the situation. It is disheartening to see the mainstream entity of the PA, Fatah, reporting directly to PA leader Machmud Abbas, involved in such acts of violence.
The most distressing aspect is the PA’s daily praise of murder attacks in real-time, glorifying the senseless loss of innocent lives. This includes the recent petrol station attack on four unarmed Jews in June. Yet, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement suggesting the preservation of the PA raises concerns that Israel may tolerate a permanent state of war within its own borders, given the PLO’s endorsement of violence against Jews on both sides of the pre-1967 armistice lines.
As a veteran journalist, I sought to test the reality of the situation. I asked Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office if they had demanded the repeal of the PA’s law that provides a lifetime salary for anyone who murders a Jew or for the family of someone killed while attempting to murder a Jew. While his spokesman claimed that such demands had been made, I requested documentation to support this assertion.
Unfortunately, despite extending the deadline for submission of this article, there was no response from the Prime Minister’s spokesman. The failure to provide documentation raises serious doubts about the government’s efforts to address the PA’s incentivized violence, where individuals are rewarded for acts of terror.
It is essential that Israel takes a firm stand against the PA’s incitement and incentivization of violence. Repealing the law that rewards murderers and their families must be a priority. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s silence on this matter is deeply troubling, as it sends a message that such actions may go unchallenged. The international community must also hold the PA accountable for its incitement, ensuring that steps are taken to promote peace and discourage violence.
Peace cannot be achieved while one side perpetuates a culture of total war and rewards acts of terror. It is imperative that Israel, as well as the international community, condemn the PA’s incitement and demand the repeal of laws that incentivize violence. Only by taking a strong stance against the PA’s dangerous actions can we hope to pave the way for genuine peace and security in the region.
Prime Minister Netanyahu must recognize the urgency of addressing the PA’s incitement and incentivized violence. It is imperative for the Israeli government to unequivocally demand the repeal of the law that rewards murderers and their families. Failure to do so not only perpetuates a cycle of violence but also undermines the prospects for a meaningful and lasting peace process.
The international community must also play a role in holding the Palestinian Authority accountable for its actions. It is crucial for world leaders and organizations to condemn the incitement and incentivization of violence, urging the PA to take concrete steps towards promoting peace, dialogue and reconciliation.
It is deeply concerning that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s failure to address the PA’s dangerous actions raises doubts about Israel’s commitment to combating terrorism and fostering peace. The incitement and incentivized violence perpetuated by the Palestinian Authority must not be overlooked or tolerated. It is essential for Israel, supported by the international community, to take decisive action in demanding the repeal of the PA’s laws that promote and reward acts of terror. Only through a united front against violence and incitement can we hope to create a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, security and mutual respect.
David Bedein is an MSW community organizer and an investigative journalist. Bedein’s work can be found at: www.IsraelBehindTheNews.com and www.cfnepr.com
