The deadly terror attack near Maale Edumim shows how the Palestinian Authority’s declared policy of incitement against Israel, including the Pay for Slay law, result in more dead Israelis. Toward Ramadan, it’s time to face the challenge head-on in Judea and Samaria
Against the backdrop of numerous successful counterterrorism operations around the territory of Judea and Samaria by the IDF, the ISA and the Police’s elite units, another well-planned anti-Semitic attack near Maale Edumim today resulted in the death of one Israeli and severely wounded several others. The quick neutralization on the spot by an individual who fought in Gaza for four months, with ample battle experience, illustrates the vitality of trained armed civilians on the scene to address deadly incidents within seconds.
Especially toward Ramadan, and as Israel fights on seven fronts, it is vital to keep an eye out for the possible eighth theater of war – the internal scene, especially in Jerusalem, by Palestinian militants and some factions among Israeli Arabs. The Israeli Police’s activity in East Jerusalem is noteworthy in that regard. The number of arrests and the rampant level of incitement shows the spirit of Palestinian nationalism has not eluded Israel’s capital.
Yet terrorist attacks never occur in a void. For years, the Palestinian Authority has been inciting for anti-Semitism, bragging the success of Fatah, its main faction, in murdering Jews, and actively paying Palestinians to murder more and more Israelis in exchange for lavish paychecks. In our study “Terrorists in the Civil Service”, our Research Department shows how the PA’s official policy, dubbed “Pay for Slay”, is anchored in laws designated to incentivize the everyday Palestinian to join the circle of terrorism as well as reward professional terrorists to murder Jews. Whether affiliated with Fatah, Hamas, Popular Front or unaffiliated, the murderer will be paid over 8 times the Palestinian minimum wage, 4 times more than the average Palestinian professor and engineer – 12,000 NIS per month at the highest bracket.
This attack also shows the complete dismantlement of the PA’s ability to function and govern effectively. As Israel’s security forces successfully clean the mess that the PA leaves around the territory, arresting over 3,000 terrorists and suspects and thwarting hundreds of major attacks, the PA stands powerless against local factions that have effectively taken over enclaves in some part of Judea and Samaria.
In fact, a senior Israeli official said that they were reinvigorated with a determination to completely dismantle the terrorism infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. Past October 7, Hamas’ strategy of the coalescence of theaters – its threat to intervene from Gaza if Israel acts in Judea and Samaria – was rendered moot. The success in Gaza actually motivates the security forces to act around Judea and Samaria – one might even say, the Israeli coalescence of theaters.
It is quintessential to level up the Israeli preparedness for the internal scene toward Ramadan, by doubling down on terrorism infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, in Jerusalem and noting possible effects on radical Israeli Arab factions. That includes increased intelligence, arrests, and strengthening the Rapid Response Squads based on local civilians, armed and organized to respond to events on the scene. In an era of new challenges, the Israeli innovation must bring to the table new and daring measures.
The article was originally published on ynetnews
