IDF-PA cooperation

The IDF security services say the PA is actually turning over information about terrorist attacks.

Palestinian security organizations loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas have transferred information on terrorist plots in the West Bank to Israel, Israeli security sources said. The information served Israeli security services in countering plans to carry out terrorist attacks.

However, Israeli security sources emphasized that the Shin Bet does not rely exclusively on Palestinian security organizations for intelligence, and recognizes the limited nature of this information.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority have resumed limited security cooperation in recent weeks, considered to be the most significant exchanges of this type in the past six years.

Palestinian security sources also confirmed that limited coordination has been resumed with Israel. However, they complained that Israel is not interested in full and extensive security cooperation and charged that senior IDF officers are trying to avoid meetings with their Palestinian counterparts.

A serious gap in expectations is also apparent in the Palestinian request for the transfer of some West Bank cities to the control of PA security organizations, Palestinian sources said.

This happened years ago, when Arafat wanted to look like he was cooperating. Mahmoud Abbas learned at Arafat’s feet. I am unconvinced that this means the Palestinians are willing to forego terror.

Another report, however, is making me think that perhaps—just perhaps—a turning point is on the horizon. “Guarded pessimism” is what I would use to describe my feelings about this:

The Palestinian Authority government published its platform on Friday, which for the first time does not include a reference to armed struggle against Israel, Israel Radio reported.

Nonetheless, the government stressed that it is committed to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ call for a “popular struggle against the Israeli occupation.”

The Arabic word muqawma, which literally means resistance and has appeared in all prior PA governments’ platform, is generally understood to mean armed struggle. The term “popular struggle” includes, among other things, demonstrations and political activism.

Wordplay, however, is the least of what needs to be changed. A whole generation’s mindset has been poisoned. When Abbas stops the incitement in the schools, on TV, and in the Palestinian newspapers, then I will believe they are truly willing to change.

For now, I’ll take the extra help on terror attacks and expect much, much more.