Few of our readers will be surprised to learn that the very same Palestinian forces being trained, armed and funded by the US government often participate in or facilitate terrorist attacks on Israelis during times of strife.
In this way, Israel has been facing US-aligned terrorist forces for years already. But many in Israel fear that problem is set to become exponentially worse in the near future.
In an investigative report, the Jerusalem branch of the Center for Near East Policy Research noted that Congress has long tried to limit the amount and quality of military aid given to the Palestinians, aware that the Fatah-ruled Palestinian Authority is only nominally a peace partner and that it seeks reconciliation with the Hamas terrorist organization.
But US President Barack Obama is increasingly obsessed with forging a Middle East peace deal, and his answer to Israeli security concerns has thus far focused on upping American development of a PA fighting force. Obama and many in his administration have also signaled that while they may not like Hamas all that much, they are willing to accept the terror group as legitimate players on the regional stage.
When the PA finally reconciles with Hamas, which still holds a majority in the Palestinian parliament, Washington will only utter vague reservations. But when Hamas and other terror groups under its umbrella start attacking Israel and Israel responds militarily, the White House is expected to react with outrage that forces it trained and paid for are caught in the crossfire.
Even worse, if there is another large-scale eruption of Palestinian violence including Fatah forces, then Israel will have to fight directly against the US-trained Palestinian troops.
"Let's say that Israel wants to go after [Fatah] terrorists – there will be a sort of American veto, because the terrorists are affiliated with the Americans," NEPR Jerusalem chief David Bedein told Israel National News. "This has extremely serious implications."