By Ryan Jones
Jan 24, 2006
Acting on behalf of the Kadima Party, former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Avi Dichter Tuesday attempted to claim credit for the dramatic reduction in lethal terrorist attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip since last summer's "disengagement."
There has not been a single Israeli fatality resulting from a Gaza-based attack since the removal of all Jewish life, both civilian and military, from the volatile coastal strip, Dichter proudly proclaimed on Israel's Channel One TV.
But a State Comptroller's report published Sunday noted a significant increase in the number and frequency of rocket and mortar attacks on Jewish towns in the vicinity of Gaza in the months following the pullout.
Ha'aretz's Amos Harel commented that is was not the withdrawal that had curbed the loss of life, but rather the "inaccuracy of the Palestinians' rockets."?
The comptroller's report went on to criticize the government for its inexplicable failure to provide the endangered communities with the promised defenses for more than 17 months.
Dichter did not address that issue in his interview.