To keep the weeds freshly cut

[motico]

What is the meaning of the expression in bold?


"The orgnization's ability to take control of the area exists despite claims that they are able to keep the weeds freshly cut."

[freezeframe]

I googled where this phrase is from and providing the context would have been helpful.

It's a quote from The Jerusalem Post.

Hamas’s ability to take control of Judea and Samaria exists despite claims [by Israeli security services] that they are able to ‘keep the weeds freshly cut.’

It means that Israel can curb Hamas's recruitment in the two areas mentioned.
Weeds is something undesirable.
Keeping weeds cut is something you do to stop them from spreading.
The phrase is figurative.


This is a potentially inflammatory topic; please don't comment on the political content.

[BobK]

Keeping 'weeds freshly cut' - although it's quite clear to me - must be a difficult metaphor to 'read'. 'Freshly-cut flowers' are the result of newly cutting them; the phrase makes you think of the cut off part - the flower. But 'keeping weeds freshly cut' puts the focus on the bit that's left in the ground. If the weeds are kept freshly cut they die off - eventually, unless they're ground elder or Japanese knot-weed - because they can't get energy from the Sun.

b