(Baltimore Sun) Editorial - Israel struck a potentially damaging blow to the financing network of Palestinian militants last week with raids on banks in Ramallah, which may do more to deter future suicide attacks than its controversial security barrier. Cutting off the finances of Palestinian militants is essential to crushing the terror network - and saving lives on both sides. The Israeli government drew sharp criticism from the State Department for the raids, but the U.S. is pursuing the same money trail in its war on terrorism. Would we have preferred to see Palestinian officials hit militants where it will hurt? Yes. But the prospects of decisive Palestinian action to thwart terror seem hopeless in the current climate. The raids reinforce the importance of dismantling Palestinian militant groups and the deceptively benign organizations and individuals that support them.
2004-03-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive