Dear Friend:

Israel has experienced an unprecedented wave of terrorism during the month of March 2002, claiming the lives of 120 Israelis. Israel is now fighting for its survival. No democratic nation can acquiesce in the face of the ongoing massacre of its own citizens. Every nation has the right and responsibility to defend its people. Therefore, Israel has launched Operation Defensive Shield to eradicate the terrorist infrastructure, which has become the primary obstacle to the achievement of peace.

Arafat has called for Palestinian children to become "suicide martyrs." Arafat says "peace of the brave" but means "peace of the grave". How can we create peace with a leader who encourages mass murder, human sacrifice, and perpetual violence? If we want to eradicate the terrorism, we must isolate the leader of the terror--Arafat.

Operation Defensive Shield is not directed against the Palestinian Authority per se, but rather, is designed to eradicate the terrorist infrastructure and to isolate PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. Consequently, PA facilities are not being targeted, with the exception of those facilities situated within the Mukata'ah compound in Ramallah, which houses Arafat's headquarters. Twenty-two armed Palestinian combatants were killed, all of whom were engaged in active hostilities against Israeli forces.

Although terrorism is amorphous by its nature, its infrastructure is indeed vulnerable to military pressure. The apprehension of wanted senior terrorist leaders reduces the capacity of the terrorist organizations to carry out their attacks and the questioning of these terrorists leads to the arrest of additional terrorists. As of today, 300 terrorists have been apprehended by the IDF, including many high-ranking operatives, among them the terrorist leaders who planned, coordinated and executed the February 19, 2002 terrorist assault against Israelis at the Ein Arik roadblock and March 21, 2002 bombing of downtown Jerusalem's King George Street.

The seizure of dangerous weapons denies the terrorists the use of these arms in further attacks, which significantly reduces the terrorist threat. During Operation Defensive Shield, the IDF has seized a large cache of Palestinian arms, including weapons prohibited under the agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinians, such as rocket-propelled grenades (RPG's) and missile launchers.

Israel desires peace, and views the achievement of peace as a central component of its national identity. However, as long as terrorism continues, peace cannot be achieved. Peace can only begin once terrorism is eradicated.

Prime Minster Ariel Sharon’s Address to the Nation of Israel, March 31, 2002
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on Face the Nation, March 31, 2002
Background on IDF Activity in Ramallah

Sincerely,

Moshe Fox

Minister for Public Affairs

Embassy of Israel, Washington DC