In a meeting of his Security Cabinet on Monday, 23 Teves, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu explained to his cabinet ministers they must do everything possible to prevent the collapse of the PA (Palestinian Authority), however they must be prepared for such an eventuality.

One of the scenarios discussed is the death of Abu Mazen, now 81, realizing a struggle would follow among the PA power brokers seeing to replace him. One possible candidate to replace him mentioned is Marwan Barghouti, the popular Tanzim faction leader of Fatah serving multiple life sentences in Israeli prison for his murderous acts of terror. Chief of Intelligence Mohammed Dahlan’s name was mentioned as well.

It is reported the Security Cabinet met on Monday for the second time in the past ten days, both sessions addressing the possibility of the PA’s collapse. It is explained that experts monitoring regional and local events predict this possibility as the diplomatic process between Israel and the PA has eroded and PA Chairman Abu Mazen has his own leadership instability issues to address.

Clearly the Security Cabinet is opposed to the collapse of the PA and remains committed to preventing such an occurrence, but some feel such a reality is inevitable and Israel must be prepared for such an eventuality. That said, Yisrael Hayom reports that Ministers Ze’ev Elkin and Yisrael Katz are among those closest to Mr. Netanyahu preventing him from actually implementing a policy to prevent the collapse of the PA, hence many of the defense establishment’s recommendations are not being implemented. Bennett is among those who feel Israel should not throw the PA a lifeline, but he also does not favor its collapse, apparently aware of the ramifications of such an occurrence.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)