Am I right in thinking that this is the first case of actual al-Q operations within Israel, as opposed to the usual suspects (Hamas, Hezballah etc)? If they decide to move in and start blowing **** up, along with all the groups who are doing so already, it certainly doesn't bode well for Israel.
It wouldn't be unknown, I suppose, for one of the more minor groups to affiliate themselves with Al-Queda to gain funding and - crucially - publicity. Because it's not like Al-Q is some giant SMERSH with volcano lairs and undersea labs; AFAIK all realistic indications are that it's a loose affiliation of like minded psychopaths trading on the post 9/11 noteriety and getting funds. Albiet it's not like Al-Queda would be unwilling; the main rallying cries of most of the fundy groups is related to the Israel/Palestine situation, after all; even in linking the US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to be linked to 'zionest aggression' or some similar anti-semitic pish.
Although I'm not sure that, what, about 10-20 nutcases would be a good reason to damn the entire population there (in the territories) and discontinue any attempts at peace.....
This is a wierd one, though. There's any number of motives you can ascribe into it, from the hopelessly optimistic one of actual prospects of peace (**** all chance of that in
my lifetime), to the more likely case of political pragmatism (appearing independent to get voters, and trying to avoid association so as to raise funds), and the rather obvious (even terrorists don't like being told to do stuff by terrorists).
