Issues Under Fire: Can Israeli Crackdown Quiet Days of Palestinian Rage

 Issues Under Fire: Can Israeli Crackdown Quiet Days of Palestinian Rage

In a desperate effort to restore order and provide security for Jewish Israelis, (during what could be the prelude to a third Intifada,) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized unprecedented measures to detect and deter lone wolf attacks or any organized threats of violence. With checkpoints and roadblocks set up to search and detain suspects everywhere, Israeli authorities are stopping and frisking anyone even looking like an Arab. Movements of non-Jews are now carefully scrutinized as a blanket of fear and distrust looms in the hearts and minds of everyone.

In addition to checkpoints and roadblocks, whole sections of East Jerusalem have been sealed off to keep Arab Israelis in check and at home until things cool down. Since many of the lone wolf attackers have been identified as coming from these neighborhoods, these are the communities being targeted for extra attention. Not only have Arab Israeli neighborhoods been placed on lockdown, but they’ll be patrolled by the Israeli military as it provides force protection for policing authorities. So far, arrest have been plenty, but its unknown how many knives have been confiscated.

In addition to checkpoints, roadblocks, stop and frisk and neighborhood lockdowns, youthful offenders caught in the act of violence, will not only risk being shot and killed on the spot, but their family’s home will be demolished. If that’s not enough of a deterrent, their family’s assets can be confiscated, as well as social security payments being cutoff. In instances of kid protesters getting caught throwing rocks, stipends to parents for those children will cease to be paid. The Israeli government is doing anything and everything it can think of to bring an end to this rage.

According to Netanyahu, “Israel will settle accounts with the murderers, those who attempt murder, and all those who assist them. Not only will they not enjoy their privileges, but we will exact from them the full cost. Anyone who raises his hand to harm us — will pay dearly. And we will not hesitate to use all means at our disposal to restore peace to the cities of Israel,” he said, according to his office. Still, while these measures may seem tough and thorough, the Israelis are taking the ultimate precaution by considering arming its Jewish citizens.

If all else fails to stop daily deadly knifings and other crude methods of taking a life, Israel is relaxing its considerably strict guns laws in order for citizens to better protect themselves. Whether these looser gun laws will be extended to Arab Israelis for defense against Israelis with harmful intentions is unclear. But what is very clear, is the potential for a lot of “stand your ground incidents.” A lot of ” he looked suspicious”, ” he looked threatening”, he looked like he had a knife” could become a very popular retort when being questioned at the scene of an incident.

Bottom line: Of all the emergency measures being hastily enacted by Israel in response to this latest violent outburst, relaxing the gun laws will only instigate the most tragic of outcomes. Putting guns in the hands of citizens during the most intense circumstances imaginable, won’t even coming close to quelling the violence. Angry leaderless and disillusioned youth with nothing to lose, rarely if ever consider consequences. This fight will continue. Podcast below!