Debka thinks that Rajoub's days are numbered
The case of Jibril Rajoub, is different. DEBKAfile reports from its Palestinian and intelligence sources that Arafat has decided to get rid of the West Bank security chief. His choice of a replacement is revealing: Bashir Nafi, Fatah-Tanzim commander in the al Amari refugee camp between Ramallah and Jerusalem, a notoriously prolific enabler of major terror strikes, including several multi-casualty hits in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market. The most recent was the blast at the ultra-religious district of Jerusalem on March 18, killing ten Israelis and injuring dozens more.
Rajoub, aware of the axe over his head, has tried ingratiation. Monday, March 18, he praised suicide bombers as bringing the Palestinian struggle against Israel to its noblest heights. This is unlikely to do him much good. Although he commands a fairly substantial militia and intelligence unit on the West Bank, Rajoub’s uncertain situation in the Palestinian hierarchy diminishes the value of his commitment to control terrorist activity on his turf after Israeli troops move out. It is unlikely that he will be able to rein in the gunmen and racketeers firing on Jerusalem’s Gilo and Tunnel Road after Israel troops move out of Bethlehem and Beit Jala – particularly since Arafat will not doubt send his Tanzim into action to embarrass the out of favor security chief, whom he accuses of being too close to the Israelis and Americans.
Naturally, anybody rational, like Rajoub, is out of step with the current extremist policy.
Cheney also seemed to make a point of snubbing Arafat today. He refused to meet him and gave the general impression that the US forsees Palestine without him.
So the terror attacks should redouble shortly. |
