Where Do the Murderers of Jews Go?

To the Palestinian Police

Rael Jean Isaac

When the Jewish state was established, a profound underlying tenet was that at least in Israel, Jewish blood would never again be spilled cheaply, wantonly and without consequence to the murderers -- the state would act as deterrent and if need be, avenger. Ironically, today the single place in the world where it is easiest to spill Jewish blood without consequence to the perpetrator is the State of Israel. All the murderers need do is flee a few miles to the cities of refuge provided by the Palestinian Authority, where they will not only be shielded but rewarded, many of them with positions of authority in the police and General Security Services. Indeed, given that Israel provides much of the Palestinian Authority budget, Israel is directly funding the murderers of its citizens.

Although this is widely known in Israel, consideration of the disturbing implications have been studiously avoided. But on October 15, Israel's largest circulation newspaper Yediot Ahronot, published an article by journalist Roni Shaked which lays out in chilling detail the way in which Israel has contented itself with pro forma protests, essentially turning a blind eye to the murder of its own people. The following is an edited version of Shaked's findings on the fate of the post-Oslo killers.

"Ghazi Jabali, the Commander of the Palestinian Police, recently informed the trainees of the Palestinian Police Academy that more than 150 members of the Hamas and George Habash's PFLP are serving in the Palestinian Police. Jabali did not bother to remind his listeners that at least 25 of these men are wanted terrorists who have carried out attacks against Israel, and for whom the Israeli Justice Ministry has issued official extradition requests. There are among them men who have been sentenced in the Palestinian courts, so as to prevent their transfer to Israel, and who shortly afterwards 'escaped from jail.' When it seemed that Israel had forgotten them, they joined the Police, of the Palestinian GSS [General Security Services].

Osama Abu Tayeh, from Rafiah, is a senior Hamas activist, who has carried out a series of murders, among them the murder of soldiers Ehud Rot and Ilan Levy on October 24, 1993 in Gush Katif, and the murder of Guy Ovadiah on July 19, 1994 in Rafiah. On September 6, 1995, Israel issued a request for his transfer. A week later, he was tried in a special Palestinian security court, and was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Five weeks later, on October 22, the "door revolved," and he escaped from jail. When his escape was reported, Israel demanded he be arrested again.

The police and Palestinian GSS did not need to look far. Abu Yaheh did not flee and hide as other wanted men had done. He strutted proudly around the city. On November 3, 1995, after protracted negotiations with the Palestinian police, he gave himself up, and received

luxurious prison conditions. He wandered freely by day and at night returned to sleep in jail. After a few months, Osama Abu-Tayeh "forgot" to return to his cell.

In March, 1996, after the wave of bus-bombings in Jerusalem and at the Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv, Israel demanded that Abu-Tayeh be rearrested. Three or four months later, Osama Abu-Tayeh was once again free. Once more Israel protested, and once more the PA made excuses. In October 1996, the Palestinians decided to put an end to Osama Abu-Tayeh's unclear status. He was recruited to the Palestinian police, donned uniform, and was issued a Kalashnikov. This all took place under the auspices of Ghazi Jabali, whose transfer Israel also requested after he instructed his policemen in Nablus to carry out terrorist attacks against settlers."

Shaked points out that after the opening of the

Hasmonean Tunnel and the "War of al-Quds," as Palestinian Arabs nickname the subsequent events in October 1996, a wholesale release of prisoners wanted by Israel took place. The most senior among them were recruited into the Palestinian police and GSS. Writes Shaked:

"A glance at the list is enough to inspire shock. Kamel Khalifa, from Khan Yunis, was recuited to the Palestinian GSS. He is a member of the Izz a-Din al-Qassem Brigades, who began his bloody career on May 16, 1993 with the murder of two vegetable sellers, Nissim Falas from Dimona and Avshalom Kalfon from Ofakim, outside Moshav Gadid near Gush Katif. Members of Khalifa's cell approached a Peugeot 404, and at short range opened fire with automatic weapons at the two traders. On August 6, 1993, Khalifa took part in the killing of two IDF soldiers, Tomer David and Lev Pisahov at the Dir Balout checkpoint outside Ramallah.

Salem Abu Marouf, from Khan Yunis, is a veteran Hamas member. He took part in the murder of Doron Shushan at the Morag junction, on January 1, 1992, and has taken part in the killings of at least ten collaborators with Israel. He currently serves in the Palestinian GSS.

Ataf Hamdan, from Khan Yunis, took part in the

kidnapping of soldier Ilan Caravani. He currently serves in the Palestinian GSS.

Mahmoud Abu Saamra, and Riad Atar, both veteran Hamas activists from Rafiah, carried out a number of shooting attacks, among them an attack on an IDF

(Continued on p.4)