"This has not changed the basic equation that the Palestinians have not given up suicide bombings," Mr. Shoval continued, "and that means, since there is no negotiating partner on the other side, that Israel must consider taking unilateral steps in order to ensure its security, including speeding up construction of the security fence".
This occurred most significantly in a landmark International Court of Justice decision against Israel's construction of a security wall in Palestine.
One was the accelerated construction of a "security fence" or "separation wall", ostensibly to stave off suicide bombers.
Mr Ben-Eliezer has already won some kudos for speeding up the construction of the "security fence" between Israel and the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sharon called for Israel to proceed with construction of a security fence intended to prevent Palestinians from attacking Israeli towns.
Mr. Abbas also wants Israel to halt construction of a security fence that is cutting deeper into Palestinian areas in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Sharon's government pressed ahead with the construction of a "security barrier" (construction on the part-wall, part-fence barrier designed to prevent terrorist incursions into Israel from the West Bank had begun in June 2002).
Islamic Jihad claimed the attack as reprisal for Israel's recent killing and capture of several of its leaders and the Israeli government's decision to extend the construction of its "security wall" deep into the occupied West Bank.
A balding, mild-mannered activist, he was the mastermind behind the most successful initiative so far: nonviolent demonstrations a half-dozen years ago in the West Bank village of Budrus against Israel's construction of a security fence there.
The army says it may call up more reservists if necessary to reinforce its reoccupation.In the meantime, the construction of the "security fence" between Israel and the West Bank continues.
