A new phase in the war against terrorism Remarks by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
March 29, 2002

In the past few days we have witnessed horrific terrorist attacks - the attack during the Pesach Seder in Netanya, where 22 people were killed, tonight's events in Elon Moreh, resulting in 4 deaths, and the incident which is currently taking place in Netzarim where two people have been killed.

All this has happened at a time when Israel's hand was - and still is - extended towards peace. We have done everything in our power to achieve a cease-fire and an immediate entry into the Tenet process in order to advance any possibility of a cease-fire. All we have received in return was terrorism, terrorism and more terrorism.

No sovereign nation would tolerate such a sequence of events.

Therefore, the government, has made the following decision:

The Government has approved principles for extensive operational activity against Palestinian terrorism

Israel will act to crush the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure, in all its parts and components, and will carry out comprehensive activity to achieve this goal.

Arafat, who has established a coalition of terror against Israel, is an enemy and at this point he will be isolated.

The Government has authorized the mobilization of reserve forces, in accordance with the operational needs, in order to enable the IDF ongoing, lengthy activities in various terrorism centers.