Posted on 01/16/2004 7:29:31 AM PST by knighthawk
Israel is often excoriated by foreign governments and humanitarian NGOs for its use of roadblocks and checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza -- particularly as they affect women, children and the elderly. But as Wednesday's suicide bombing shows, such security measures are necessary: Every Palestinian is now a potential bomber
Indeed, the circumstances of this latest attack show terrorist groups are actively exploiting Israeli efforts to provide Palestinian travellers with humane treatment. The killer was Reem Al-Reyashi, a 22-year-old Gaza mother of two who had previously declared her desire to become "the first woman to carry out a martyr attack, where parts of my body can fly all over." On Wednesday, Ms. Reyashi set off a metal detector while passing through a border crossing. When she claimed to have a metal surgical implant, Israeli officials sent for a female soldier out of respect for her privacy. Ms. Reyashi then made a show of collapsing. As sympathetic soldiers rushed to her assistance, she blew herself up, killing four. Remember this sequence of events the next time an NGO criticizes the "humiliations" vested upon Palestinians by the Israeli security apparatus.
Overall, however, it is important to note that terrorist attacks have been on the wane in Israel. This was the first suicide bombing in the country since a Dec. 25 attack took four Israeli lives near Tel Aviv. And before that, there had been none since October. According to data released recently by the Israeli government, the number of citizens killed in terrorist attacks in 2003 was 213, down more than 50% from 2002's total of 451. Of course, 213 deaths is still 213 too many. But the massive reduction would seem to vindicate the aggressive counterterrorism policies of Ariel Sharon's government.
The crackdown has born fruit in several ways. Firstly, there are simply fewer terrorists to commit atrocities: Israel has killed or captured hundreds in the last year. Secondly, because ordinary Palestinians have seen that terror accomplishes nothing, popular support for suicide bombings has plummeted in the West Bank and Gaza. While the parents of bombers once celebrated publicly as if they had won the lottery, that is now rare. Instead, as The New York Times reported from Nablus this week, some family members are openly criticizing the terrorist groups who exploit their sons and daughters -- a gesture once seen as taboo.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Israel continues to build its security fence, a barrier that protects population centres from West Bank terrorists. While the fence is not yet complete, captured terrorist leaders have told Israeli officials it is already making life difficult for them. Indeed, a Hamas spokesman said a woman was chosen for Wednesday's attack because of security "obstacles" facing male operatives.
Thus, notwithstanding Wednesday's bombing, there are reasons for optimism in Israel. It has been a long, hard fight. But Mr. Sharon is gradually winning the war against terror.
Hooahh!
Throw all the rocks you want to.
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