Odd Jolt to Mideast Stalemate

An investigation by Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian Authority has confirmed Israel’s denial of responsibility in the killing of the chief bomb maker for Hamas, the militantly anti-Israel Muslim group. Mohiedin Sharif was murdered on March 29 by “colleagues who used to break bread with him” in Hamas’ military wing, a Palestinian official said. “Internal political and financial disputes” were claimed. This finding runs directly counter to Hamas’ own claim--accepted by many Palestinians--of Israeli culpability, and it shows a significant degree of political responsibility by the Palestinian Authority. It also restores a sharp focus on the rivalry between Hamas and Arafat for the allegiance of Palestinians.

The arrest of key figures in the assassination plot is unlikely to end this matter. Some in Hamas have already sworn to undertake fresh acts of terrorism against Israel. That open and, given Hamas’ record, credible threat ought to be as disturbing to the Palestinian Authority as it is to Israel. Any terrorist operation organized in or originating from territory under the authority’s control challenges its ability to govern effectively.

Further, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made survival of the barely breathing peace process contingent on the ability of the authority to prevent all instances of terrorism. In this latest case at least, as even Netanyahu acknowledges, the authority has acted positively.

The peace process nonetheless remains vulnerable to the actions of no-compromise political extremists in both the Israeli and Palestinian camps, including some who sit in Netanyahu’s Cabinet. The United States has joined with Israel in calling on Arafat to crack down once and for all on Hamas and similar enemies of peace. Effectively neutralizing the militants would give Arafat more room to maneuver politically and at the same time deny the Israeli government its main rationale for refusing to move ahead in the peace talks. Could the death of a Hamas killer at the hands of his internal rivals become a starting point for breaking the negotiating deadlock?