Israel’s voice to the Arab media

TEL AVIV, June 26 — Ofir Gendelman has one of the least enviable jobs in the world. He is the Israel Foreign Ministry press representative to the Arab media. When a suicide bombing takes place, it is Gendelman’s job to call the Arab media, such as Al Jazeera, to make an official Israeli statement in response to the attack. “They never put me on the air when I call — only if they call me,” Gendelman told the Intermountain Jewish News. “When I do go on the air with them, the interviews are live, so there is no editing, but they always cut me off. “They always ask, ‘What do you think of the suicide bombing? Isn’t it because you are in the occupied territories?'” Gendelman, 31, is fluent in Arabic — with a Palestinian dialect. He says the Arab stations do seek his comments because the Palestinians are curious about what the Israelis have to say after an attack — but he says the Arab media also uses the opportunity to bash him. Incidentally, Gendelman says that the Arab journalists and secretaries are very polite to him and treat him with utmost respect — that is, until the camera is on. The entire prospect for peace, according to Gendelman, lies in the willingness and ability of Yasir Arafat to make peace, and Arafat has neither. “He doesn’t now, and he didn’t before. He has practiced these tactics since the 1950s.” For that reason, Gendelman is sorry to say, Israel has reached a stalemate — “both politically and militarily.” “We cannot overwhelm the Palestinians military because the US won’t let us. “We can’t use artillery now; can’t use tanks (except as a shield).” Gendelman said that Israel is averting 90-95% of attempted terrorist activities. “But they still happen. Five to six terror attacks are planned daily inside the territories. They will continue.” Gendelman — like most Israelis — places no credence in Arafat’s professed political reforms. “Even the Palestinians are saying these reforms are all on the surface,” he says. No changes for the Palestinian people will take place without money, and Arafat holds all the money for himself and his family and circle of close associates, Gendelman says. “He approves every check that is written by the Palestinian Authority — even $50.” He also says the British and American monitors of the Palestinian jails hold PFLP terrorist leaders, including Ahmed Saadat, the suspected assassin of Israeli Tourism Minister Raanan Ze’evi, are totally ineffective. “They really aren’t jails. The prisoners have cell phones, which they use to plan more attacks.” Gendelman dismisses the notion of Israel assassinating Arafat. “Arafat will probably die a natural death.” Then what? “Arafat doesn’t have a successor,” and Israel does not want to sponsor a successor — or a political opponent — to Arafat. Gendelman points to the example of 1993 when Bashir Gemayil was assassinated in Lebanon after he was supported by Israel. “When an Arab leader is supported by Israel,” he is seen as a collaborator with the West. He is seen as a traitor.” Since the situation is a stalemate, according to Gendelman, Israel needs to look at containment. The proposed fence protecting Israel from the Palestinian terrorists in the territories is being met with mixed reaction from Israeli officials and the Israeli populace. Gendelman says such a fence, complete with towers, mines, machine guns and walls, will take a long time to construct and will not be completely foolproof. “We know from Lebanon that no fence can stop all terrorists.” This kind of resignation seems to be defining the “new normal” here in Israel . . . The “new normal” in which it is known and expected that terror attacks will happen. It is the “new normal” in which Israelis are determined to go about their daily business — albeit with caution and modification — in an effort not only to live their lives but to show “that we are strong and we are willing to fight.”