While the political echelon is playing down concerns surrounding a unilateral PA (Palestinian Authority) declaration of statehood in September, the IDF is dealing with reality, preparing yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron for warfare, the expected response to the unilateral move.

Expecting Arab residents of these areas to protest, engage in violence and attempt to illegally enter yishuvim, army officials have determined a red line for each and every community, a point which delineates the absolute final point Arabs will be able to cross before soldiers are ordered to fire at their legs – realizing they are compelled to protect the residents of these communities.

While soldiers are compelled to bend over backwards to avoid using live ammunition against civilians, the General Staff is well-aware that the declaration of Palestinian statehood will result in a new reality, a new national spirit, one that intelligence community officials fear will be accompanied by a new brazen attitude of defiance and a thirst for violence.

The logistical preparations surrounding this brewing crisis is being dubbed Operation Summer Seeds, which is intended to prepare the IDF for any and every eventuality following the PA’s move in the United Nations General Assembly. Predictions being presented to senior commanders by members of the intelligence community quite serious, and Yehuda and Shomron may erupt into an unprecedented state of violence.

According to a report in the daily Haaretz, affiliated with the Israeli left-wing, a document obtained by the newspaper indicates that the unilateral declaration may lead to a public uprising, “which will mainly include mass disorder”.

The document elaborates, stating this will include protests at major junctions throughout Yehuda and Shomron as well as inside Jewish communities and educational institutions in addition to attempts to target symbols of Israeli sovereignty in these areas. The document does not rule out incidents of shooting and terrorism, labeling them as ‘extreme cases’.

In preparation for all eventualities, the IDF has been hosting training sessions for first response units of the Yosh (Yehuda and Shomron) communities, and most recently, held a special training session this week for security officers of communities. All guidelines are being reviewed as well as honing the skills of the members of these teams, usually responsible for maintaining an emergency situation until military troops arrive on the scene.

Communities will be given tear gas and stun grenades towards arming them with the sufficient adjuncts to control a situation until soldiers arrive. If and when Arabs cross the first line they will be met with tear gas. If they remain undeterred and continue to the red line, soldiers will be authorized to use live ammunition towards defending the homes and families. The plans for each community were approved by the area brigade commander, usually of the rank of at least a lieutenant-colonel.

YWN has learned the military has already finalized plans for calling up many reservists, to the tune of tens of thousands if necessary, towards stationing combat soldiers and officers throughout Yehuda and Shomron to prevent a state of anarchy. In addition, Defense Ministry officials indicate they expect additional complications, including problems pertaining to deliveries to these areas which may result in a shortage of gasoline. Gas station owners are being instructed to maintain full tanks ahead of the date. The Defense Ministry’s National Emergency Management Authority is expected to shift to emergency status on September 19th.

In the meantime, representatives of the approximately 300,000 residents of Yosh are calling upon the IDF and Defense Ministry to issue clearly defined guidelines for opening fire to avoid residents being placed in Pandora’s Box regarding how to react in case of an incident and/or attack, as is the case today.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)