Palestinian Incitement is The Problem – Not Israeli Security Measures

Palestinians murdered 2 Israeli Druze police officers on the Temple Mount. In response, Israel temporarily closed the Al-Aqsa mosque to Friday prayers and then installed metal detectors to protect civilians. Palestinian officials claimed these security actions were a defilement of the Al-Aqsa mosque and used this as an opportunity to call for violent Intifada. Palestinians rioted and threw firebombs at Israeli security forces. These violent clashes resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians.

On Friday night, the Solomon family was murdered in cold blood as they celebrated Shabbat. A 19-year-old jihadist who claimed in a Facebook post that he was “going to die for Al-Aqsa” massacred them.

The metal detectors also led to heightened tensions between Israel and Jordan.  On Sunday, an Israeli guard was stabbed at the Israeli Embassy in Amman.  These metal detectors are no more invasive than the explosive detectors placed at the gates of the Masjid al Haram, which surrounds the Ka’aba.

Instead of blaming the violence on incitement from Palestinian leaders, Israel is being blamed.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of using the violence to take over Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem.  Organizations such as the Middle East Institute blamed Prime Minister Netanyahu for the violence, noting his decision for additional security was a “hasty decision” made “without due consideration to Jordanian, Palestinian or Arab-Muslim sensitivities.”

Just the other week the U.S. State Department published a report claiming Israel is to blame for terrorism attacks committed by Palestinians and accusing the Jewish state of being largely responsible for an impasse in peace negotiations.

Now, Israel has made the mistake of capitulating to the whims of a violent mob.  Israel has decided to replace the metal detectors with security cameras.  There is no way Israel can spin this that doesn’t reek of surrender.  Now, Israel’s sovereignty over the Old City of Jerusalem will be challenged with violence.

These acts of violence were not committed because of the instillation of metal detectors. They were committed because of Palestinian leadership such as Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, who says Jews pollute the Temple Mount with their “filthy feet.”

For years, Palestinians have pushed a false idea that Israel is trying to destroy Al-Aqsa mosque and that every action committed by Israel to ensure its security is a nefarious attempt at destroying Islamic holy sites. The P.A. uses more than $300 million every year to pay salaries and pensions to individuals like the one who butchered the Solomon family.

The blame for violence needs to be placed on those responsible.  Jewish life is not worthless, and we have to stop treating Palestinians with the bigotry of low expectations and hold them accountable for their violent incitement.  U.S. policy needs to reflect both of these facts.

Secretary Tillerson’s State Department opposes bills such as the Taylor Force Act, which would end U.S. taxpayer subsidization of Palestinian terrorism.  It is time for the U.S. to stop supporting people committed to the annihilation of the Jewish people in the name of fake peace, and it’s time for the U.S. State Department to get on board.  If we don’t, Palestinians will continue to see violence as a way to get what they want.