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Dr. Aaron Lerner is co-founder of , Independent Media Review and Analysis, an Israel-based news organization which provides an extensive digest of media, polls and significant interviews and events relating to the Israeli-Arab conflict.
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By Dr. Aaron Lerner
April 28, 2005
What would the Sharon Government do if it learned that Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank now possess anti-aircraft missiles?
Anti-aircraft missiles that could bring down a commercial jet.
Anti-aircraft missiles that reached the West Bank via areas in the Egyptian Sinai in which Egyptian intelligence's control is so tight that not a bullet - let alone a missile - can pass through without Egypt's consent.
Would Sharon give an ultimatum to the PA that the missiles must be handed over within 72 hours or face a crippling security sweep that would dwarf Operation "Defensive Shield"?
Would Sharon call in the Egyptian ambassador to lodge a complaint and call for Egypt to not only stop all future smuggling operations but also to use its influence to force the Palestinian terrorists to hand over the missiles?
Would Sharon call every world leader willing to talk to him - and his favorite foreign columnists - letting them know just how serious the situation was.
What would the media do?
Would the story persist beyond a one hour news cycle, building up as news editors assigned reporters to flesh out the story with items on the missile technology, counter measures deployed and yet to be deployed, the impact the use of the weapon could have on Israel's economy, society, future as well as diplomatic and political ramifications, etc. -- with ever growing outrage that the threat is not being seriously addressed?
The question, unfortunately, is not theoretical.
Two weeks ago, the "Shabak" (ISS) revealed at a meeting top brass and Defense Minister Mofaz that Palestinian terrorists in the West Bank now possess anti-aircraft missiles and anti-tank missiles supplied through Egypt.
It appears that the only operative decision that has been made so far has been to send elite IDF units to the Egyptian border in an attempt to close the barn door.
And the media? Nothing much beyond a small item in Maariv.
Unacceptable? Yes.
Irresponsible? Absolutely.
The silence and inaction is not the expression of some carefully developed strategy but instead a dangerous combination of complacency, laziness and an overriding commitment to avoid any action that may possibly interfere with withdrawal plans.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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