Here in El-Bireh and at other frequent flash points, Palestinian forces no longer try to prevent protesters from heading toward Israeli checkpoints and watchtowers. Instead, plainclothes officers just watch for instigators and weapons beyond stones and firebombs.Mahmoud Abbas, purported peacemaker, believes that his people can stab and stone and firebomb Israelis, but they mustn't start shooting soldiers.
Uniformed troops take positions on nearby hills, where they can observe developments and spot potential gunmen while remaining unseen by the crowds.
“We are not standing at the D.C.O. checkpoint to spy on our people and write their names down,” said one intelligence officer, referring to the checkpoint on the outskirts of El-Bireh, where protests have raged throughout the month. He spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing government protocol.
He said the forces were under orders to ensure that protesters did not open fire at soldiers, because it would prompt a harsher response.
When they allow people to approach checkpoints, that means that they know that stabbings will occur. In fact, one reason that the stabbings at checkpoints has increased seems to be this decision. Which means that the PA made a decision to allow their own people to be killed, to stoke more rage.
And the reason isn't because of any morality or ethics,but simply because he knows that Israel would respond more forcefully to shootings and that would threaten him personally.Here's the latest "peaceful" image from Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Facebook page, with the hashtag "Jerusalem Wrath."
Abbas isn't trying to calm things down. He's trying to be seen as a leader of an intifada without major consequences.
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