Tougher PA approach on terror?
Palestinian security official says Monday’s terror attack requires tough Palestinian response against terrorists, vows to make every effort to end such attacks
The source also said progress had been made in recent diplomatic meetings between Israel and the Palestinians regarding future releases of Palestinian prisoners, and signaled the next group could include those behind deadly anti-Israeli attacks.
Islamic Jihad terrorists killed a 27-year-old Israeli man when they fired at his car in the West Bank. The attack, which also wounded a teenager, came amid a fragile cease-fire Abbas and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared in February and a flare-up of violence that has raged in recent weeks ahead of a planned Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip.
”The attack this morning proved we must exercise a firmer hand against the factions, especially those that do not see themselves committed to the calm despite having declaring so,” the security source said, adding that Palestinians should avoid "irresponsible" actions against Israeli "provocations" in the West Bank and Gaza.
Islamic Jihad, which has masterminded dozens of bombings against Israelis, said it was still committed to a de facto truce it declared with other terrorist groups in March.
Abbas government 'not helpless'
The Palestinian Authority would act to stop such incidents, the source said, and urged it to carry out a large-scale security operation within the coming days in order to show terrorist groups that Abbas’ government was not helpless.
Israel and the United States have long-demanded the Palestinian leader rein in terrorists and dismantle their organizations, as dictated by a U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan. Abbas has preferred to negotiate with the groups.
The source said terrorists use such attacks as an excuse to torpedo understandings Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Abbas reached at a summit in February, which included a cease-fire to end more than four years of fighting and Israel’s promise to hand over control of many West Bank towns.
A senior Palestinian source told Ynet that progress has been made in recent meetings between security officials from both sides and that Israel plans to release prisoners behind deadly attacks, marking the first time it would free Palestinians with “blood on their hands.” There was no immediate Israeli comment.
