Interview Forum with Ambassador Rabinovich on America Online March 4, 1996

               INTERVIEW FORUM WITH AMBASSADOR ITAMAR RABINOVICH 
                 America Online - March 4, 1996, 9:00 p.m. EST 


AOL: Welcome to AOL and centerstage Ambassador Rabinovich! 
 
AMBASSADOR RABINOVICH: This has been a very difficult day in the State of 
Israel. We have sustained another terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. I'm here to 
respond to your questions and what they mean to us. 
 
Q: I went to Israel for the first time in August and felt so proud to be 
Jewish. I felt connected to Israelis in joy, now I feel connected in pain. 
What can American Jews do at this time? I feel like my heart is breaking. 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: One thing to do, if you planned to visit Israel, you go 
should go now. It's important that friends of Israel show support for us and 
show faith that the government of Israel will protect its citizens and 
visitors. 
 
Q: Why did you declare all-out war? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: We declared war because the only way to counter this 
terrorism to declare an all-out war. If we do the right thing, it will have 
its effect and morale will rise accordingly. 
 
Q: Is there really something Israel can do to stop these monsters? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: Yes - there are quite a few measures that can be done. And 
the PLO is working to control Hamas terrorism. The U.S. government has 
indicated its willingness to work with the Palestinians and Israel in this 
effort. 
 
Q: What is being done about security? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: Today the formation of a special command headed by the 
Director General of the Special Security has been created today. I think the 
measures will become apparent in the next few days. 
 
Q: I hope the Israeli people will take this as an opportunity to support the 
Labor and Peres. Any Arab not swearing allegiance to Israel should be deported 
back to their country. You Israelis have always known who these murderers are 
and have lacked the guts to destroy them. The Rebbe said 1967 they should be 
sent back if not wishing to live in peace. Will the government consider 
resigning prior to the elections in the light of the public's loss of 
confidence in it? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: No. 
 
Q: Shimon Peres has come under a lot of fire by Israeli citizens for declaring 
war on Hamas. Do you agree with what he is doing? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I don't agree with that premise. He has not come under a lot 
of fire. 
 
Q: How many lives were lost today and how is the country reacting to so much 
terrorism in such a short period of time? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: At the last count, 12 were killed. There were other 
causalities [caused by the] Hizbullah in another incident on the Lebanese 
border. The country is reacting very badly today. The people are very 
agitated. 
 
Q: Did your government anticipate terrorism by the Hamas? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: Yes, this is nothing new. We recognize Hamas for what it is 
quite some time ago. We've tried to deploy countermeasures, so this attack 
does not come as any surprise. 
 
Q: Happy Purim(as it may be), my question is: Is it not obvious, that we have 
been only giving and not receiving? Should we not wait to see how the ENEMY 
first takes care of a small responsibility before allowing them to assume 
responsibility for our lives? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: In a peace process, part of what you want to do is turn a 
former enemy into a non-enemy. We have not only been giving, we have been 
receiving too. I do agree this is a complex process and we have to keep 
examining it as we go along. 
 
Q: Mr. Ambassador, 4 bombings in 8 days, the opposition to Israeli-Palestinian 
peace seems overpowering. Any comments? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I agree that is a very severe challenge to the peace process. 
I believe that with Palestinians and other Arab countries we can overcome this 
challenge. 
 
Q: Mr. Ambassador, do feel the recent bombings show a desperation on the part 
of Hamas? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: A combination of self-confidence and desperation. Hamas wants 
to act against Israel at any time even without this peace process. And Hamas 
will always act against Israel if not stopped. 
 
Q: Is there any way to crack down on suicide bombers except by retaliation? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: Yes, this the end product of a long line - the preacher that 
brainwashes and the network which helps the bomber. It's difficult to deal 
with the suicide bomber, but there is a way to deal with the network that 
aided him. 
 
Q: Can we attribute many problems to release of Palestinian prisoners, with no 
jobs, low self-esteem, and nothing better to do that die as martyrs??? What do 
they have to lose??? Releasing prisoners is insanity, and these guys are 
floating around INCITING. 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: The fact is that suicide bombers are not released prisoners. 
They tend to be young men in their 20s who have been brainwashed by a specific 
group of preachers. 
 
Q: Is there fund for family of victims? Address please. 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: The State of Israel looks after the victims and their 
families. If you want to contribute to a fund, contact the Israeli embassy. We 
will find an address and legitimate fund for you. 
 
Q: I am looking at bringing a group of Christians and Jews to tour Israel in 
March of 1997. How safe is it for an all Canadian group to travel to the Holy 
Land? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I think when we do what we need to do, it will become safe 
for any group to visit Israel. 
 
Q: Are you sorry you didn't listen to Kahane's warning....The Arab is a 
cancer. Either it's cut out....or eventually....it will get you. And you will 
die. You don't talk to a cancer. You cut it out. 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: No, I believe and my country as a whole do not believe the 
teachings of Mr. Kahane. 
 
Q: What precautions is Prime Minister Peres taking to insure his safety? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: This is provided by the General Security forces. This has 
been doubled since the assassination. 
 
Q: I understand the need to exclude the Palestinians from Israel and build a 
wall. Don't you think that this is reinventing 
apartheid? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: No - apartheid exists when you keep people in an entity with 
no rights. The Palestinians have rights and have had 3 elections. 
 
Q: Is it likely that Arafat can help diffuse the situation in Israel? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I think Arafat is going to act, because this will himself and 
his own society. Given his self-interest, I think we can count on him doing 
what he needs to do. 
 
Q: What do you think will be the effect of these Hamas attacks on the Israeli 
attitude to the peace process, and their sympathy for the delicate position of 
Arafat? 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I think these attacks are eroding support for the peace 
process. Most Israelis don't worry about Arafat's delicate position. They 
believe it's in his self-interest to take Hamas on effectively. 
 
AMB. RABINOVICH: I'm sorry, but I've been called away. I've enjoyed talking 
with you and am very sorry I must leave now. But I've some important matters 
to take care of. 
 
AOL: Thanks to Ambassador Rabinovich for his time this evening. Thanks also to 
the audience, goodnight all! 
 

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