palestinemonitor/Second attack reiterates fact that Israeli government does not want peace and is contemptuous of "Road Map"/June 11, 2003

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Second attack reiterates fact that Israeli government does not want peace and is contemptuous of "Road Map"
June 11, 2003

In a move designed to escalate further the level of violence in the Middle East, the Israeli government yesterday afternoon ordered an attack on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli apache helicopters fired several missiles into the densely populated neighbourhood of Jabaliya. Palestinian medical sources said a 16 year old girl, Miriam Abed Rabbo, Hammouda Abed Rabbo, 19, and Muhammad Abed Rabbo, 22, all members of the same family, were killed instantly when a missile hit their house. Doctors at the Shifa hospital in Gaza report 32 others were wounded, 13 of whom are in critical condition.

This attack came after Tuesday mornings attempt to assassinate a political leader of Hamas, Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi which left three bystanders dead including a small child.

These missile strikes came when a renewed effort was being made to persuade Hamas and other groups to halt military operations and are being regarded by many Palestinians as acts designed to provoke a Palestinian military response. It also appears to violate the spirit of the US backed Road Map to peace and prompted criticism from American president George Bush. "The president is concerned that the strike will undermine efforts by Palestinian authorities.... and does not contribute to the security of Israel," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters adding that Bush was "deeply troubled" by the attack.

However, the assassination attempt and attack on Jabaliya were regarded by Palestinians as predictable as this has been the pattern all previous occasions that a ceasefire, or move towards peace has been discussed.

Throughout his tenure, Sharon has constantly fanned the flames of violence through provocative policies and attacks on Palestinians; he has systematically ordered violent military attacks and assassinations during ceasefires as well as during discussions or diplomatic efforts to reach an end to hostilities.

The assassinations of two Hamas members in July 2001, Mahmoud Abu Hanoud in November 2001, and Salah Shehda in July 2002, a horrific attack which left 18 people dead, and the December 2002 assassinations of members of three different factions, were timed specifically to scuttle talks and negotiations amongst Palestinians.

Furthermore, this is as Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi contends, in part the "fault of the media report extensively on Palestinian violence, once there is a response, but certainly do not sufficiently focus on these provocations. The minute a bombing occurs in Tel Aviv or Netanya, International outrage will be voiced, and all acts of violence condemned and the Palestinians lack of commitment to peace, or desire of peace will be announced. Yet will people mention these assassinations designed to provoke future attacks? These acts should be reported as clear indications the Sharon and the Israeli government themselves have no stomach, desire or commitment to peace and an end to the violence and occupation of Palestine.