A new phase in the war against terrorism Remarks by Defense Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer
March 29, 2002

What has happened during the past few weeks, and particularly during the last two days, has thwarted all our efforts over the past year, during which time we welcomed and embraced anyone who came in the service of peace. Unfortunately, in the case of General Zinni who recently came here in good faith, armed with the goodwill of a great nation that is our friend, the only thing we could do was to be at his side and to assist him. It is not an easy thing to say, but I will mention here that for an entire week we restrained ourselves. We did not respond to a single terrorist attack in the hope that maybe, maybe violence it would stop. But, that did not happen. Arafat has made himself into the enemy. He cannot absolve himself from responsibility. He bears a heavy responsibility for the terrorist elements, through both his actions and omissions.

The very nature of the cabinet decision, as read out by the Prime Minister, makes it clear that we have now started moving towards a war against the forces of terrorism in the coming days, possibly weeks. We have stated at every turn the fact that we have no interest in continuing in the use of arms, but given no other choice, we owe it to our children and to our people.

Consequently, the security forces decided to initiate extensive operational activity aimed at a conducting a war - an all-out war - against terrorism. A war, whose aim is to crush all forms and all elements of the terrorist infrastructure. This war will know no geographical, or other, boundaries. Its aim is to provide maximum security, as is our obligation to the citizens of this country. We have been forced to take this path, to mobilize extensive forces and to operate over a wide area.

Operations are focusing on Ramallah, which, has become the capital of terrorism. Action is in progress, and will continue, against the entire infrastructure there. Nobody has immunity from the IDF as long he bears the mark of a terrorist.