Noting that the current wave of stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings in Israel is consistent with a policy first adopted by Fatah at its 2009 party conference—namely, encouraging just enough terror to get attention but not enough to provoke an overwhelming Israeli response—Yossi Kuperwasser argues that it has so far proved successful:
[T]he terror campaign so far has gone [as planned by the PLO] leadership without the need for its direct, guiding involvement. The Palestinian leadership regained attention . . . in the international arena and in Iran, though, ironically, much less so in the Arab world which is totally preoccupied with its own problems.
Despite the vicious incitement and inhumane terror attacks that have provoked some criticism of the Palestinians, no threats or pressure has been directed at the Palestinian leadership. . . . It is not surprising, then, that up to this point the Palestinians are quite satisfied with the results of the campaign, and in discussions held by the Fatah Central Committee and other leaderships forums, the decision was made to continue supporting and encouraging this effort unabatedly. . . . .
So far Israel has taken direct steps against the terrorists and their families, . . . but has refrained from taking any measures against the Palestinian leadership itself. . . . As long as this soft-glove attitude is adopted, it is hard to see any incentive for the Palestinian leadership to reconsider its policy.
Read more at Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
More about: Israel & Zionism, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian terror, PLO