Fix the fence -- now

In light of the ongoing violence, Israelis are naturally inclined to say "we aren't doing enough," or "our efforts have failed." These instinctive statements may turn out to be an accurate assessment, and the recent spate of attacks (known as the "outbreak" on the Palestinian street) could eventually morph into a full-fledged intifada (popular uprising). Yes, there is a the risk that the relatively few casualties and limited property damage could reach colossal numbers. This would trigger a call-up of more security forces, who would be sent to major venues.

For the time being, though, two things must be said. The first involves Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. When he said that Israelis' "filthy feet" were desecrating the Temple Mount (a site sacred for both Jews and Muslims), he was not only making a racist comment but also inciting to violence against non-Muslim police officers and visitors to the site. Such a statement should have had Israel's defense establishment reevaluate its stance toward Abbas; they should think hard before they decide to absolve him of fanning the flames. Abbas has not sounded such comments in recent days, but this may be just a temporary respite.

Second, I believe it is imperative to engage in an immediate effort to fix the breaches in the security fence in Judea and Samaria. Israel has not carried out the proper upkeeping along its route, nor has it fitted the fence with the necessary devices. Just like homeowners winterize their roof ahead of time rather than wait for the first torrential rain, the fixes must be carried out now to prepare for the possibility that Palestinians dispatch suicide bombers to settlement blocs and inside the Green Line.

In fact, the fence has always been a work in progress. An overwhelming majority of politicians (from virtually every party) were opposed to the fence and only reluctantly embraced it when it proved to be effective in reducing large-scale bombings. Completing the fence may have been unnecessary at the time, but given the current circumstances, Israel should prepare for the worst-case scenario (God forbid). Even if things do not deteriorate dramatically, there would be no harm done in doing so (perhaps at some monetary cost).

Having said all that, Israel should not lose it marbles. Despite the recent upsurge in what experts call "second-order terrorism," with the knife becoming the new weapon of choice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calm can be restored. We don't have to use all our military means. The spate of attacks on Wednesday -- two of which were carried out within the Green Line --- does not mean the tactics used by the security forces have failed. Every remedy needs time to take effect; only time will tell whether the medicine we have administered is effective.

I am not saying we should not deploy more troops, but we need a waiting period that will, on the one hand, show that Israeli troops can target terrorists, and on the other hand, prove that they were deployed in sufficient numbers to stem the violence.

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