(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - The readers of the Palestinian daily Al-Quds found a rather surprising advertisement in their paper last Monday. "Dear residents of the Gaza Strip, Holiday greetings for the Id al-Fitr [the holiday ending the month of Ramadan] ... and we ask Allah to make our common journey easier. During the past year, the Israeli army was forced to fight elements that harmed the daily lives and the public order in both Palestinian and Israeli societies - and this by steadfastly seeking to destroy every opportunity for establishing peace between the two peoples. The fighting against these gangs, with force and determination, is necessary - along with extending a helping hand to anyone who wants to gain just and total peace, based on the principles of mutual understanding and respect." Signed: Maj.-Gen. Dan Harel, head of Southern Command Efforts are now being made to address the Palestinian people directly, over the heads of their political leadership. The IDF has no illusions that the effort will turn any of the residents of the Gaza Strip into a supporter of Israel, but hopes to avoid the link of the PA in explaining its actions to the Palestinians.
2003-12-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive