Netanya Bombing / Analysis: Leave Hamas alone [View All]

Election time in Israel is traditionally a time for military escalation. This was true of the period of retaliatory raids 50 years ago, of the time when Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981, and the Grapes of Wrath campaign in Lebanon in 1996. Even without high-profile military campaigns, the candidates tend to exhibit militaristic positions considered a recipe for success at the polls.

...However, the decisions with regard to Israel's response to yesterday's terrorist attack in Netanya do not appear to be tainted with a need to create escalation. From the reports, it appears Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who are now in competing parties, are planning to react "with caution and in keeping with the context," as Mofaz expressed it.

...The IDF was instructed to avoid a confrontation with Hamas, which is maintaining restraint as it prepares for elections. While Israel is opposed to Hamas' participation in the elections, it is in effect sticking to an unwritten cease-fire with it. This also strengthens Israel's demand of the Palestinian Authority to take action against Islamic Jihad.

Both Washington and Europe are giving the Palestinian Authority a great deal of support for the upcoming elections and Israel would not do well to appear to be undermining Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. That is why the Karni crossing will remain open today.