Islamic Militancy

JERUSALEM, West Bank (AP) — The World Bank on Thursday endorsed a Palestinian reform plan that requires $5.6 billion in international aid over three years, but warned that the money will not stem economic decline in the West Bank and Gaza unless Israel also eases Palestinian movement and trade. The Palestinians will ask for the aid at a conference of donor countries next week in Paris. However, if Israel's closures remain in place, these large sums would at best slow a "downward cycle of crisis and dependence," the report said. By contrast, a considerable easing of Israeli restrictions could help the Palestinian private sector recover and lead to double-digit economic growth, the World Bank said.

Israeli defense officials have been reluctant to remove roadblocks and barriers, first set up after the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in 2000 to keep attackers from Israel. Security officials say the moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank is still too weak to rein in militants effectively.

• JJ Commentary: They will never be able to rein in the militants because they, and Islamic militants in other surrounding countries, will never give up trying to completely destroy Israel.