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STRATFOR.com
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THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
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Palestinians Adopting Israeli Strategy?
November 1, 2001
Summary
Palestinian militants may be changing their tactics. Since the assassination of an Israeli Cabinet minister in October, two more attempts have been made on the lives of specific Israelis. This mimicking of Israel's policy of targeted assassinations is a way for militants to continue attacking Israel while minimizing the backlash from Europe and the United States.
Analysis
Natan Barak, an Israeli navy captain, was nearly killed Oct. 30 after a bomb was planted in his home in Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem Post reported. The al-Aqsa Brigade, affiliated with the Palestinian Tanzim militias, claimed responsibility. It was the second assassination attempt against an Israeli since the killing of ultra-nationalist Cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi Oct 17.
Palestinian militants have long used violence, but they generally have not set their sights on specific individuals. But following Sept. 11, a shift in the Palestinian strategy may be underway that involves copying Israel's policy of targeted assassinations of political and military figures.
Attacking high-level Israelis would allow Palestinian militants to keep pressuring the Sharon administration while minimizing the public backlash that stems from outrage over civilian casualties from suicide bombings. By acting more like militants than terrorists, the Palestinians hope to escape the international pressure focused on groups such as al Qaeda.
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Palestinians Adopting Israeli Strategy . . . ?