Jenin

As in the instance of many complicated issues, we cannot begin a discussion of the specifics issues without providing background and context. 

During the last few days of mid-August , 2023, The IDF entered Jenin in what Jews call Judea and Samaria. This portion of the originally mandated territory is  in Area A under the governing authority of the Palestinian Authority in accordance with international agreements called the Oslo Accords.

This agreement was voluntarily implemented by Israel because the Accords were never signed by the Palestinian Authority then under the leadership of the now- deceased Yasser Arafat. At this time there was the international aspiration that there might be a two-state solution to the conflict. Under this agreement the disputed territory occupied by Israel after three wars was divided into three areas. Area C, the largest piece was essential vacant land with little population. It was solely under Israel governance. Area B was under joint Israel-P.A. governance. Area C, which was the most populated, including all Arab –populated cities at that time , was under sole P.A governance. Jenin is one of those cities.

Under the accord Israel  retained  overall responsibility for security, including responsibility for maintaining security for all borders.

Over the years Israel made a number of offers to the P.A. to resolve all differences. The P.A. declined to consider any of them. They insisted on a return to 1948 Armistice borders, independent statehood with their own armed forces. Based on Israel’s experience with Gaza and Lebanon, this was unacceptable to Israel.

The good will toward Palestinians evidently held by an important element of the Jewish population that might have been present in the past has  been forfeited over time.  An appreciation has grown that there is no acceptable solution for the Arab side that would allow for a viable Jewish state. Consequently, for many, the idea of a two-state solution is no longer acceptable.

Meanwhile the P.A. has maintained a hostile attitude to Israel, educating the Arab young to hate Jews and to aspire to murder them, and paying the families of deceased and jailed terrorists substantial pensions.  Many suicidal activists have been incentivized in their actions by these awards for their families. These payments are a substantial part of the P.A. budget.

Further, popular support from the Arab population has shifted from the P.A. to support for the terrorist organizations headquartered in Gaza and Beirut, Lebanon. Elections for P.A. leadership have been continually postponed to avoid the takeover which occurred in Gaza. Hezbollah now controls the government of Lebanon. Both these entities are now financed by Iran which has publically announced their intention to eradicate the Jewish state.

The situation has been aggravated by the increasing incapacity of current leadership. M. Abbas,  the President, is reported in fatal ill-health. There is now competition as to who will replace him. This has caused further internal conflict which has impaired P.A. functioning. Measures aimed at controlling terrorist operations or crime gangs would not encourage popularity.

With this background we can turn to consideration of the Jenin event.

While there is theoretical cooperation with the P.A. on security matters, more and more it has fallen to Israel forces alone to carry out this task. Although the P.A. claims statehood, more and more it has failed to build the infrastructure required. To perform its role. Particularly over the last two years security in the major Palestinian centers under their jurisdiction has been lacking. Crime is rife and terrorist organizations have used the vacuum existing to establish a terrorist network aimed at Israel financed primarily by Iran.

In recent months Israel has suffered 58 attacks on Israeli civilians having their origins in Judaea and Samaria. Often, the perpetrators escape to hide in sanctuaries established within the Arab population centers in the region in question. Arms and monies have been smuggled into this area from Jordan. One diplomat from Jordan has been arrested and charged in this regard.

The recent IDF exercise involving a brigade-strength force is likely the first of a number that will likely take place to try and establish a return to law and order in the population centers of Area A in Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian population will like be the greatest beneficiaries as crime in these centers will likely suffer from the return of law and order. Remarkably, the IDF was able to carry out its mission in Jenin , densely populated, with only two IDF fatalities while avoiding any civilian casualties, .

The failure of the P.A. to carry out its responsibilities leaves Israel with no alternative. Even with this effort, many of the terrorists in this specific area  escaped to other centers. Four locations in the local network were disrupted , one of them located in a mosque basement.  Arms caches were removed along with funds that were found to finance terror activities. Almost one hundred operatives were arrested and eighteen  were eliminated. All were combatants.  

What the situation indicates  that this is only the first of similar necessary exercises to discourage attacks on innocent civilians. We will probably see this not only in Jenin but in other population centers in the region. We may see the program carried out despite efforts by many parties around the world seeking to vilify the Jewish state.