(Israel Hayom) Zalman Shoval - Terror attacks and attempted terror attacks are proliferating across the West Bank, and inside Israel as well. Experience has shown that the Palestinians do not view peace talks and terrorism as mutually exclusive. Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are accountable for terrorist attacks even in the absence of evidence indicating direct orders by either. The relentless incitement by the Palestinian media and various statements by Palestinian leaders make them accountable. But even more important than assigning responsibility for the recent wave of violence is applying its lessons to any future peace and security deal between Israel and the PA, especially the framework agreements being drafted by the U.S. Only a gullible person would believe the Palestinians' efforts to curtail violence against Israel would be any more tenacious or effective after the establishment of a Palestinian state. One cannot help but feel the Americans are making light of the issue, and that they believe the Palestinian security forces can be trusted to get the job done. We cannot afford to make such a mistake. The recent wave of violence may have come just in time - to dispel illusions and to reinforce Israel's demand, which was approved as part of the outline presented in Camp David in 1978, for a permanent security presence within the future Palestinian entity. The writer is a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
2014-01-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive