State terrorism
Israel's raid on a Jericho prison exposes the worthlessness
of international guarantees, writes Ibrahim Nafie
Last Tuesday Israeli occupation forces raided Jericho's prison. They
demolished the building in stages before arresting a group of
Palestinian prisoners. This operation took place with the approval of
the acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and was ordered by
Minister of Defence Shaul Mofaz.
The aim was to arrest Ahmed Saadat, secretary-general of the Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and other Palestinian
figures including Fouad Al-Shoubaki, accused of overseeing the funding
of the arms deal uncovered by the Israeli navy when it intercepted the
boat Karin A on 3 January 2002.
The operation began with the mobilisation of large numbers of
armoured vehicles and equipment, including scores of bombshells.
Palestinian security personnel responsible for securing the area were
stripped of arms and their clothes and left in their underwear.
Occupation forces attacked the building with bulldozers and
explosives. After killing two members of the security personnel and
injuring another 62 they arrested the PFLP leader and his companions,
who were transferred to Israeli detention prisons.
Israel undertook the operation to kidnap a group of Palestinian
figures who, in accordance with an international agreement made with
late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, were held in a prison guarded
by US and British forces. Ahmed Saadat was due to be tried for plotting
the assassination of the former Israeli minister of tourism Rahavam
Zeevi on 18 October 2001 -- a response to the Israeli assassination of
the PFLP secretary-general Abu Ali Mustafa on 27 August 2001.
Al-Shoubaki was facing trial for his role in the Karin A arms deal. The
agreement with Arafat was reached following Israeli demands that it
should detain and try the two men.
On the morning of 14 March the US and British monitors charged with
overseeing the Jericho prison were withdrawn. Following their departure
Israeli forces began their siege of the prison. The British prime
minister said the monitors had been withdrawn for security reasons, i.e.
ensure their safety, while US sources said they had informed PA
President Mahmoud Abbas of their decision to withdraw monitors a week
earlier. Abbas confirmed he had been notified, but said no date for the
withdrawal of the monitors had been specified. Washington also hinted it
would veto any discussion of the matter in the UN Security Council.
The raid raises many questions about the role of the US and Britain.
There can be no doubt that Washington and London were fully aware of
what Israel intended to do, and effectively colluded with Tel Aviv. They
informed Abbas of their intention to withdraw monitors without informing
him when that would take place, though Israel clearly knew. Abbas, who
cut short a European tour to return and visit the remains of the prison,
confirmed that Israeli forces stormed the area only five minutes after
the monitors were withdrawn.
The operation, and the US-British-Israeli coordination that
underwrote it, raises fundamental questions about the worth of
agreements the PA signs with Israel, as well as the worth of
international -- and in particular US -- guarantees. It undermines any
negotiating process that seeks to resolve the conflict, confirming that
Israel has no intention of abandoning the bullying tactics it has long
employed under the political and security cover provided by
international powers.
This operation will weaken calls among the Palestinian factions --
not least within Hamas -- for a political solution and will reinforce
the arguments of those pushing for armed struggle no matter what the
cost.
