Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Heretic
Here's the rub. Even in the West Bank there's Hamas, Hezballah and Islamic Jihad, each one of which grossly outguns the Palestinian government [I think we can ditch terms like "authority" not that they're a real government system]. So when the Palestinian police get into their first firefight post this agreement they'll- of course, be forced to withdraw or lose more lives and still be blamed for "failing to stop" terrorism never mind they had ZERO chance of success.
This is a sweatheart deal for the Israeli government hardliners and squatters in Palestinian land. The latter can even shoot whomever and if anyone shoots back it becomes the Palestinians fault regardless how justified their self defense.
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Talk about jumping into the deep end. This is Jenin that we are talking about here.
With untested training, and troops.
With so few, untested troops (only 700?). (It is my guess that, this is all that they have available.)
Then there is the question of the level of training being provided here. It is not as though the Jordanians have an established track record, doing this sort of thing.
Personally, I expected the PA to start with some place were they would have half a chance of success, like Bethlehem maybe. Some place were they could get their feet wet, as it where. Get some experience, and build some confidence.
I know that it is what they agreed to, in the Oslo Accords. Take responsibility for the people that they want to govern. But I think that starting in Gaza first, would have given them a better chance of success. Anywhere but Jenin!
At some point the PA is going to have to deal with Hamas, and Gaza. Hamas knows this, as well as everyone else. At least if they had started with Gaza, once it is over (one way or the other) the rest would be down hill. By putting Hamas off till later, it only stacks the odds in Hamas’ favor.
I do not have any real problem with Israel accepting this one. It is a gift, from Bush. Though I would like to know, just how much pressure Rice had to put on the PA, to force them to agree to this.