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Government, IDF thought to disagree over measures to boost PA
The IDF has reportedly proposed a series of measures which it believes would help quell the current violence, but Israel’s government apparently opposes any gestures towards the Palestinian Authority (PA) while the unrest continues unabated.
A senior IDF officer is quoted by Ynet and other Hebrew media outlets, describing the violence as “a limited uprising,” but warned that without intervention, it could become “a widespread uprising.” He said that 95 per cent of the attacks were carried out by so-called ‘lone wolves’ and that, “These terrorists are desperate and frustrated young people, some of them unemployed.” The officer also emphasised that Israeli forces explicitly aim to minimise Palestinian casualties, acknowledging that Palestinian deaths invariably trigger further violence.
As a result, the IDF has reportedly suggested a series of measures designed to ease conditions on Palestinians. They include granting more work permits for Palestinians and easing the transport of goods between Israel and the PA. The unnamed officer also told reporters that the IDF recommends supplying more arms to the PA, whose continued security cooperation is a clear Israeli interest and releasing some Palestinian prisoners guilty of minor offences.
However, an anonymous source in the Prime Minister’s Office told Ynet that additional weapons and the release of prisoners would not be approved by the country’s political leadership. This would appear to be in line with a reported conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State earlier this week. Haaretz said that Netanyahu made clear that gestures towards the PA would only be forthcoming when the current violence subsides. Netanyahu is also thought to have told Kerry that concessions over Palestinian building in the West Bank would only be granted if the international community recognises Israel’s right to build in major settlement blocs such as Ariel and Gush Etzion, which many assume will remain under Israeli sovereignty according to any future peace deal.