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Defense Minister's Security Briefing

(Prime Minister's Office) At the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, Defense Minister Mofaz briefed ministers on current security matters: * Mofaz referred to the security establishment's summary of 2003 and said that there had been a 50% decline in the number of terrorist attacks and casualties in comparison with 2002, due to the security services' accelerated and efficient counter-terrorist operations, and the security fence, which is beginning to "pay for itself." * The current situation in the Palestinian sphere is showing expressions of anarchy. Abu Ala's weak administration is controlled by Arafat and is thus finding it difficult to deal with the internal anarchy and has been unable to secure a commitment from the various terrorist organizations to halt terrorism. * Hamas is strengthening in the Gaza Strip and there are continued high-profile attempted attacks and warnings of attacks inside Israel as well as in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. * Some elements in the Palestinian establishment are taking note of what appears to them as cracks in Israeli society's internal cohesiveness and strength, and that these impressions are leading to a hardening of positions and support for continued terrorism. * The main conclusions to be drawn are: Israel must continue its counter-terrorism efforts and move to operational activities in order to weaken Hamas; Israel must simultaneously maintain its readiness for a genuine dialogue with Abu Ala's government and uphold the roadmap to its fullest; and Israel must search for ways to ease restrictions on those sections of the Palestinian population not involved in terrorism.
2004-01-12 00:00:00
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