This week, in coordinated attacks, as many as 20 terrorists infiltrated from Gaza into Egypt and then into southern Israel, killing eight Israelis. Israeli authorities believe the terrorists exited Gaza via underground tunnels and slipped into Israel through a "tattered wire fence" along the Israel-Egypt border. Predictably, only now, after a tragedy, does Israel plan to complete construction of the remaining three-quarters of the 200km fence.
Buses targeted by the terrorists had some soldiers as passengers, some of whom returned fire while others administered first aid to victims. But passengers in cars also targeted were sitting ducks. In one case, terrorists reportedly shot two sisters and their husbands at point-blank range and then confirmed the deaths. Had the travelers been armed, perhaps they could have repelled the attack. Perhaps they should have been carrying the same weapons often seen being carried by "radical Israeli settlers" in their self-defense.
Recently, militants were arrested and weapons seized in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, in the latest indication that militants there are re-emerging after the fall of Egyptian President Mubarak. A group calling itself "Al Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula" is said to have formed. Given such news and the sophistication of this week's attacks, we're probably seeing the beginnings of an escalation of Arab terrorism emanating from a destabilized Egypt and terror-controlled Gaza. One question that remains to be seen is whether the command-and-control structure of this renewed effort against Israel rests more in Gaza or in Egypt. Gaza's Hamas leadership will insist it has no role and Israel is picking a fight.
Showing posts with label Terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Terrorism. Show all posts
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Giving Terrorists a Head-Start Again
In the wake of the botched Christmas Day bombing of a Detroit-bound jet from Amsterdam, it would make sense were the United States government to impose heightened screening of passengers arriving from certain high-risk countries where terrorists are known to operate.
Thankfully, that's exactly what the U.S. Government apparently has decided to do.
But would it make sense for the U.S. Government to publicly announce exactly which countries will be subject to the enhanced screening? Of course not, because then the terrorists will launch airline attacks from other countries where security is less stringent.
But that is exactly what the U.S. has done. In announcing the new measures, it also revealed the names of at least 14 countries from where passengers will be double and triple-checked.
Shooting ourselves in the feet again.
Thankfully, that's exactly what the U.S. Government apparently has decided to do.
But would it make sense for the U.S. Government to publicly announce exactly which countries will be subject to the enhanced screening? Of course not, because then the terrorists will launch airline attacks from other countries where security is less stringent.
But that is exactly what the U.S. has done. In announcing the new measures, it also revealed the names of at least 14 countries from where passengers will be double and triple-checked.
Shooting ourselves in the feet again.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Israel: Over-Experienced, Under-Appreciated
In grade school, there were students who had all the answers and volunteered them in class, saving all the others the embarrassment of being called upon to supply an answer they did not have. Despite being helpful, the students with the answers were ridiculed for being "too" smart and shown no appreciation or respect.
Israel is today's school know-it-all and no more respected.
Early this year, Israel fought Hamas in Gaza. Known for dozens of deadly suicide bombings in Israel earlier this decade, Hamas this time had been shooting rockets into southern Israeli cities. Israel was forced to act. Still, a United Nations report accused Israel of war crimes. This type of criticism, unfortunately, has become the norm.
The irony is that the world has so much to learn from Israel's experience. Yet, that experience is constantly and consistently under attack.
Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that a dual U.S.-Egyptian citizen living near Boston had planned to attack shopping malls. A mall representative acknowledged, "it is difficult to prevent someone from carrying out an act if they do not care about dying in that act." True, but vigiliant Israeli security has foiled many an attack on Israeli malls, and the Israeli experience could be instructive here.
Similarly, NBC News reported tonight that U.S. authorities on the Arizona-Mexico border have discovered 18 underground drug-smuggling tunnels this year. One tunnel passed beneath a church playground, reminiscent of Hamas weapons-smuggling tunnels in Gaza some with entrances and exits in Palestinian childrens' bedrooms. Like those dug by Hamas, drug tunnels found were elaborate, with wood frames and ventilation systems. (Are Mexican drug-smugglers taking a lesson or two from Hamas?) U.S. authorities say it is a "daily struggle, a cat-and-mouse game" to disrupt the tunnels, and they admit the border is "not secure." U.S. and Israeli military forces are training together in the U.S. on new techniques to locate and destroy underground tunnels. Again, we can and are learning from Israel's experience.
Israel is also routinely criticized for its policy of demolishing homes of terrorists and their families as a deterrent. However, other countries now facing terrorism inside their own borders are adopting the same technique. The Wall Street Journal reported today that Pakistani troops are "facing stiff resistance" with militants "fighting for every space" in that country's stepped-up campaign against the Taliban. Sounds a lot like Israel's battle against Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank city of Janin in 2002, during which Israel was falsely accused of massacring civilians. Interestingly, the Journal reports that Pakistani troops "demolished the houses" of a Taliban leader and a "main trainer of [Taliban] suicide bombers." Pakistan has taken a page from Israel's counterterrorism playbook.
The next time countries like Pakistan are called upon at the UN to condemn Israeli actions against terrorists, they would be well-advised to recall their own actions. Unfortunately, Israel has a lot to teach the world about successfully fighting terrorism. It's about time the world show some gratitude and respect.
(A few days after I wrote this entry, the Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom essentially made the same points, suggesting that the UN learn from Israel's experience and "adapt the acceptable laws of war to the situation of countries -- and Israel is not the only one -- that are fighting terrorist organizations. It would be better to ask how they would have us act next time that terrorists shell us.... so that perhaps [Israel might receive] a little respect.")
Israel is today's school know-it-all and no more respected.
Early this year, Israel fought Hamas in Gaza. Known for dozens of deadly suicide bombings in Israel earlier this decade, Hamas this time had been shooting rockets into southern Israeli cities. Israel was forced to act. Still, a United Nations report accused Israel of war crimes. This type of criticism, unfortunately, has become the norm.
The irony is that the world has so much to learn from Israel's experience. Yet, that experience is constantly and consistently under attack.
Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that a dual U.S.-Egyptian citizen living near Boston had planned to attack shopping malls. A mall representative acknowledged, "it is difficult to prevent someone from carrying out an act if they do not care about dying in that act." True, but vigiliant Israeli security has foiled many an attack on Israeli malls, and the Israeli experience could be instructive here.
Similarly, NBC News reported tonight that U.S. authorities on the Arizona-Mexico border have discovered 18 underground drug-smuggling tunnels this year. One tunnel passed beneath a church playground, reminiscent of Hamas weapons-smuggling tunnels in Gaza some with entrances and exits in Palestinian childrens' bedrooms. Like those dug by Hamas, drug tunnels found were elaborate, with wood frames and ventilation systems. (Are Mexican drug-smugglers taking a lesson or two from Hamas?) U.S. authorities say it is a "daily struggle, a cat-and-mouse game" to disrupt the tunnels, and they admit the border is "not secure." U.S. and Israeli military forces are training together in the U.S. on new techniques to locate and destroy underground tunnels. Again, we can and are learning from Israel's experience.
Israel is also routinely criticized for its policy of demolishing homes of terrorists and their families as a deterrent. However, other countries now facing terrorism inside their own borders are adopting the same technique. The Wall Street Journal reported today that Pakistani troops are "facing stiff resistance" with militants "fighting for every space" in that country's stepped-up campaign against the Taliban. Sounds a lot like Israel's battle against Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank city of Janin in 2002, during which Israel was falsely accused of massacring civilians. Interestingly, the Journal reports that Pakistani troops "demolished the houses" of a Taliban leader and a "main trainer of [Taliban] suicide bombers." Pakistan has taken a page from Israel's counterterrorism playbook.
The next time countries like Pakistan are called upon at the UN to condemn Israeli actions against terrorists, they would be well-advised to recall their own actions. Unfortunately, Israel has a lot to teach the world about successfully fighting terrorism. It's about time the world show some gratitude and respect.
(A few days after I wrote this entry, the Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom essentially made the same points, suggesting that the UN learn from Israel's experience and "adapt the acceptable laws of war to the situation of countries -- and Israel is not the only one -- that are fighting terrorist organizations. It would be better to ask how they would have us act next time that terrorists shell us.... so that perhaps [Israel might receive] a little respect.")
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Prisoner Release Unnecessary
Israel's security cabinet reportedly has approved the release of 20 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for videotaped proof that captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit is alive and well. After the names of the 20 prisoners are published online, the public will have 48 hours to appeal the decision.
The prisoner release is risky. It once again sends the message that terrorism works. It also may be unnecessary. A German mediator, we are told, has already seen the tape. He has a moral obligation to reveal the nature of its contents and this alone could suffice as prove of Schalit's condition.
I understand the Schalit's family, as well as others, would prefer to see the tape themselves, but it is simply not worth the release of security prisoners, even ones without Israeli blood directly on their hands. (Some were indirectly involved in attacks on Israelis, but did not commit murder themselves.)
It is hard to understand why the Israeli government would release prisoners in this case when the information it seeks about the soldier is already known. The German could tell them. Considering that the Red Cross or anyone else has been denied any access to Schalit and that his capture was an act of terrorism, the German has no duty -- and, in fact, has a responsibility -- to report his condition.
The prisoner release is risky. It once again sends the message that terrorism works. It also may be unnecessary. A German mediator, we are told, has already seen the tape. He has a moral obligation to reveal the nature of its contents and this alone could suffice as prove of Schalit's condition.
I understand the Schalit's family, as well as others, would prefer to see the tape themselves, but it is simply not worth the release of security prisoners, even ones without Israeli blood directly on their hands. (Some were indirectly involved in attacks on Israelis, but did not commit murder themselves.)
It is hard to understand why the Israeli government would release prisoners in this case when the information it seeks about the soldier is already known. The German could tell them. Considering that the Red Cross or anyone else has been denied any access to Schalit and that his capture was an act of terrorism, the German has no duty -- and, in fact, has a responsibility -- to report his condition.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Terrorists Escaping Justice Begets More Terrorism
This week, Libyans celebrated the return to Libyan soil of the only person convicted in the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie bombing after Scotland set the ailing man free on "compassionate" grounds. He reportedly spent a mere 11 days in jail for each of his 270 victims killed in the attack and had been sentenced to at least a 27-year jail term.
Also this week, Ahmadinejad in Iran announced he'd appointed as Defense Minister a man wanted in connection with bombings of Israeli and Jewish targets in Argentina in 1992 and 1994.
The most important outcome of these developments -- aside from the terrible grief that victims' families will have to endure -- is that terrorists and future recruits the world over see that there is no price to be paid for engaging in terrorist activity. In the end, they and their deeds are celebrated and rewarded.
One of the reasons the Scottish Justice Minister decided to free the Libyan is because he deemed the man no longer a public threat. Perhaps the man himself will not further engage in terrorist activity, but his celebrated release will serve to encourage terrorists and surely result in more deaths of innocent Westerners and Muslims alike.
Also this week, Ahmadinejad in Iran announced he'd appointed as Defense Minister a man wanted in connection with bombings of Israeli and Jewish targets in Argentina in 1992 and 1994.
The most important outcome of these developments -- aside from the terrible grief that victims' families will have to endure -- is that terrorists and future recruits the world over see that there is no price to be paid for engaging in terrorist activity. In the end, they and their deeds are celebrated and rewarded.
One of the reasons the Scottish Justice Minister decided to free the Libyan is because he deemed the man no longer a public threat. Perhaps the man himself will not further engage in terrorist activity, but his celebrated release will serve to encourage terrorists and surely result in more deaths of innocent Westerners and Muslims alike.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Fatah Disappoints Again
The Palestinian Fatah movement (we won't call them a "political party" because many, if not all, of its members happen to rhetorically or materially support the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's terrorist offshoot) held a leadership and policy conference in Ramallah, West Bank, last week.
In this opinion article, Jerusalem Post reporter Khaled Abu Toameh predicts that younger Fatah members, who've been angling for greater leadership responsibility in Fatah, aren't necessarily going to be more pro-reform or less violent.
Sadly, the failures of Arafat and Abbas to bring peace to the Palestinian people, coupled with Fatah's humiliating defeat in Gaza to Hamas, haven't turned Fatah into a more respectable, effective movement with which Israel might deal.
In this opinion article, Jerusalem Post reporter Khaled Abu Toameh predicts that younger Fatah members, who've been angling for greater leadership responsibility in Fatah, aren't necessarily going to be more pro-reform or less violent.
Sadly, the failures of Arafat and Abbas to bring peace to the Palestinian people, coupled with Fatah's humiliating defeat in Gaza to Hamas, haven't turned Fatah into a more respectable, effective movement with which Israel might deal.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Secretly, Arab Leaders Are Thrilled By Israel's Actions
Egypt's foreign minister blasted the United Nations for failing to stop Israel's "aggression," while a Jordanian government spokesman predicted Israel's "invasion" would have "dangerous repercussions and negative effects" on security and stability in the region.
Are these countries, who've signed peace treaties with Israel, really that outraged by Israel's actions? While their people may be, as evidenced by street protests, their leaders, secretly, are thrilled.
To placate the masses and, in particular, members of the Muslim Brotherhood and other radicals living in Egypt and Jordan, leaders of these countries spare no effort to condemn Israel's actions. But, behind their palaces' walls, they couldn't be more relieved that Israel is doing their dirty work for them -- rolling back the influence and military capabilities of one of the region's deadliest terrorist groups, Hamas, responsible for dozens of suicide attacks that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians since October 2000.
Hamas and, with it, Iran are growing influences in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and by extension, in Lebanon and Syria, as well. In pursuing Israel's destruction and the eventual establishment of Islamic regimes, Hamas threatens the stability and security of not only Israel and Palestinians, but Egypt and Jordan, who couldn't be happier to see Hamas under attack. If only leaders of these countries were courageous enough to admit so publicly.
Are these countries, who've signed peace treaties with Israel, really that outraged by Israel's actions? While their people may be, as evidenced by street protests, their leaders, secretly, are thrilled.
To placate the masses and, in particular, members of the Muslim Brotherhood and other radicals living in Egypt and Jordan, leaders of these countries spare no effort to condemn Israel's actions. But, behind their palaces' walls, they couldn't be more relieved that Israel is doing their dirty work for them -- rolling back the influence and military capabilities of one of the region's deadliest terrorist groups, Hamas, responsible for dozens of suicide attacks that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians since October 2000.
Hamas and, with it, Iran are growing influences in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and by extension, in Lebanon and Syria, as well. In pursuing Israel's destruction and the eventual establishment of Islamic regimes, Hamas threatens the stability and security of not only Israel and Palestinians, but Egypt and Jordan, who couldn't be happier to see Hamas under attack. If only leaders of these countries were courageous enough to admit so publicly.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Israeli Papers Call for Tough Response
I'm glad to see that three major Israeli dailies, including left-wing Ha'aretz, agree with me that, in the face of constant rocket fire by Palestinians in Gaza, Israel must restore its deterrence.
Ha'aretz says to "leave no stone unturned" to restore calm but, sadly, stops short of endorsing the only meaningful action that would be effective -- military action. Right-of-center Yisrael Hayom, on the other hand, gets it exactly right, advising that military action would make Israel's enemies "think twice" before firing more rockets.
By sitting on its hands, Israel's current government thinks it wins itself sympathy and goodwill internationally. This is unlikely. With few exceptions, the world will be no more willing to see Israel's point of view and allow it to action it feels is necessary, whenever that might be. The effect of Israel's hesitance is to make it appear weak and vulnerable and to further erode its image as a strong, vibrant country not worth bullying.
Ha'aretz says to "leave no stone unturned" to restore calm but, sadly, stops short of endorsing the only meaningful action that would be effective -- military action. Right-of-center Yisrael Hayom, on the other hand, gets it exactly right, advising that military action would make Israel's enemies "think twice" before firing more rockets.
By sitting on its hands, Israel's current government thinks it wins itself sympathy and goodwill internationally. This is unlikely. With few exceptions, the world will be no more willing to see Israel's point of view and allow it to action it feels is necessary, whenever that might be. The effect of Israel's hesitance is to make it appear weak and vulnerable and to further erode its image as a strong, vibrant country not worth bullying.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Israel Shouldn't Beg for a Ceasefire
Hamas says a "ceasefire" with Israel since June is over. Hamas won't extend the ceasefire because Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip and conducted periodic raids there in response to rocket fire and terrorist planning. Israel wished to see the ceasefire continue.
Hamas is importing advanced weapons into Gaza via Egypt, and it continues to hold IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, whom it captured in a cross-border raid two and a half years ago. Now, Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorists are renewing rocket fire into Israel in an attempt to provoke an escalation.
The solution to this nonsense out of Gaza is for Israel to send a strong, unequivocal message that violence from there will not be tolerated. And preventing attempts to seize additional soldiers requires sending a strong message that the price for doing so is simply too high.
When Hamas seized Shalit, Israel should have undertood, like is the case with Hizballah in Lebanon, that the terrorists did not intend to return him alive. Israel should have launched a rescue as soon as possible and pounded Hamas targets until the group either relented or understood that provoking Israel simply is too costly. Gaza should suffer such overwhelming force from Israel that its terrorist rulers would never again contemplate provoking Israel. The price of doing so must be judged as simply too high. Israel must reestablish deterrence.
Hamas is importing advanced weapons into Gaza via Egypt, and it continues to hold IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, whom it captured in a cross-border raid two and a half years ago. Now, Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorists are renewing rocket fire into Israel in an attempt to provoke an escalation.
The solution to this nonsense out of Gaza is for Israel to send a strong, unequivocal message that violence from there will not be tolerated. And preventing attempts to seize additional soldiers requires sending a strong message that the price for doing so is simply too high.
When Hamas seized Shalit, Israel should have undertood, like is the case with Hizballah in Lebanon, that the terrorists did not intend to return him alive. Israel should have launched a rescue as soon as possible and pounded Hamas targets until the group either relented or understood that provoking Israel simply is too costly. Gaza should suffer such overwhelming force from Israel that its terrorist rulers would never again contemplate provoking Israel. The price of doing so must be judged as simply too high. Israel must reestablish deterrence.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Release Terrorist Earned a Degree in Prison
Samir Kuntar, 45, the Lebanese terrorist who had been jailed 29 years in Israel for shooting dead an Israeli man in front of his four-year-old daughter and then killing the girl by crushing her head between a rock and the butt of his rifle, was freed today by Israel, along with four other terrorists, in return for two dead IDF soldiers.
The Associated Press reports that, while in Israeli prison, Kuntar learned Hebrew and earned a degree in sociology. It's remarkable that he had such opportunities in Israel. Certainly, he would never have had them while a terrorist in Lebanon.
Wouldn't it be great if Kuntar returned home and said to his countrymen, "You know, I am grateful to the Israelis for teaching me a foreign language and allowing me to learn and earn a degree. Those 29 years taught me that Israelis are humans, too, and we should respect them."
I know. Dream on.
Apparently, as recently as this year, Kuntar wrote to Hizballah leader Nasrallah and told him his place will be "at the battlefront." He has also said he will not apologize for his murderous actions and that "the struggle continues."
The Associated Press reports that, while in Israeli prison, Kuntar learned Hebrew and earned a degree in sociology. It's remarkable that he had such opportunities in Israel. Certainly, he would never have had them while a terrorist in Lebanon.
Wouldn't it be great if Kuntar returned home and said to his countrymen, "You know, I am grateful to the Israelis for teaching me a foreign language and allowing me to learn and earn a degree. Those 29 years taught me that Israelis are humans, too, and we should respect them."
I know. Dream on.
Apparently, as recently as this year, Kuntar wrote to Hizballah leader Nasrallah and told him his place will be "at the battlefront." He has also said he will not apologize for his murderous actions and that "the struggle continues."
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Bulldozer Terrorist Attack Was Preventable
In an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post, Yaakov Katz writes that today's attack by a Arab resident of Jerusalem driving a bulldozer would have been "difficult to foil." Israel's Chief of Police, David Cohen, said "There's no way to control a single person if he wants to commit terrorism."
However, according to earlier reports, the terrorist -- Husam Taysir Dwayat, a 30-year-old father of two from Sur Bahir in southeast Jerusalem -- was carrying an Israeli identity card and had a criminal record due to previous criminal activities, mainly drug felonies, as well as furniture theft. Had Dwayat not been issued an Israeli residency document in the first place or had his documents been revoked upon conviction of a crime, or in this case several, he would not have been legally employable in Jerusalem and would have been unlikely to have had access to the bulldozer used in the attack.
If Arabs fortunate enough to hold Israeli residency permits commit crimes or other violations, then those permits should be suspended or revoked, because they have proven themselves to be security risks. If Israel does not now conduct a thorough background check on Arabs applying for or holding residence permits, it should start to do so immediately. Having a criminal record like today's terrorist did ought to be immediate grounds for disqualification for such permits and the employment privileges inside Israel that accompany them.
However, according to earlier reports, the terrorist -- Husam Taysir Dwayat, a 30-year-old father of two from Sur Bahir in southeast Jerusalem -- was carrying an Israeli identity card and had a criminal record due to previous criminal activities, mainly drug felonies, as well as furniture theft. Had Dwayat not been issued an Israeli residency document in the first place or had his documents been revoked upon conviction of a crime, or in this case several, he would not have been legally employable in Jerusalem and would have been unlikely to have had access to the bulldozer used in the attack.
If Arabs fortunate enough to hold Israeli residency permits commit crimes or other violations, then those permits should be suspended or revoked, because they have proven themselves to be security risks. If Israel does not now conduct a thorough background check on Arabs applying for or holding residence permits, it should start to do so immediately. Having a criminal record like today's terrorist did ought to be immediate grounds for disqualification for such permits and the employment privileges inside Israel that accompany them.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Israeli Official: Expel Palestinian Arabs Who Support Terror
On Friday, Israeli Public Security Minister Avi Dichter did the right thing. He said a legal and legitimate way should be found to expel Palestinian Arabs from East Jerusalem who aid and abet terrorism. A day earlier, one such Palestinian shot dead eight young Israeli boys, and wounded as many as 10 more, at a Jewish seminary, or yeshiva, in Jerusalem. Read more here.
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