Current Events • Israeli Media • Terror Against Israel
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April 8, 2002 Following President Bush’s speech and in anticipation of Secretary Powell’s visit Israel attaches great importance to President Bush's stand against terrorism, as clearly expressed in his recent address. Israel welcomes the President's commitment to bringing about a ceasefire with the Palestinians, in order to renew the peace process, which constitutes a fundamental Israeli interest. Israel is looking forward to the upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Powell, and will spare no effort to make it a successful one. A U.S. vision for the future, which includes a stable Palestinian state seeking to live side by side in peace with Israel, its Jewish neighbor, is acceptable to most Israelis. Yet, Israel cannot be expected to acquiesce to the establishment of a terrorist state who is committed to its destruction through any means available. The leadership of the State of Israel has declared on a number of occasions that it is ready to accept the establishment of a Palestinian state. A Palestinian state of this kind must coexist peacefully alongside Israel, and not in place of Israel. The uncompromising Palestinian demand to implement the "right of return" of Palestinian refugees would change the entire nature and character of the State of Israel as the Jewish state. In effect, this would mean the establishment of two Palestinian states, something that is obviously totally unacceptable to Israel. Israel and America share the same goals. Israel has no interest in remaining in the PA-controlled areas and aims to leave at the earliest opportunity. Nevertheless, as the U.S. National Security Adviser, Condoleeza Rice, stated yesterday, a withdrawal of this kind cannot be carried out in "helter skelter" and "chaotic" fashion. While Israeli forces have no intention of remaining is PA areas, the terrorism must be stopped. Negotiations cannot be renewed without first ending the violence against Israel's citizens. Most of President Bush's address (Thursday, April 4, 2002) was directed at the Palestinian side. President Bush insisted that the Palestinians stop the terrorism and incitement and demanded that Arafat address his people on this issue. Needless to say, Arafat has not addressed his people, even though he could do so at this very moment, if he so wished. Indeed, there has not been even the slightest hint that the Palestinians are willing to accept President Bush's demands to stop the terrorism and incitement. In contrast, Israel has accepted both parts of the U.S. President's address. The goal of Operation Defensive Shield is to remove the threat of Palestinian suicide terrorism and to protect the lives of Israel's citizens. The results of the Operation so far have served to further justify its goals. The IDF has seized vast amounts of illegal heavy weapons such as, bombs, explosive belts, detonators and timing devices. Clandestine explosive labs have been discovered and documents describing the terrorist infrastructure and directly linking it to the PA and Arafat have been captured. At the same time, Palestinian civilian casualties have been low, and the rate of terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians has dropped. Bethlehem and the Holy Sites IDF forces operating in Bethlehem and elsewhere have been given clear instructions to prevent all harm to Christian and Muslim holy sites, despite the cynical exploitation of these shrines by Palestinian terrorists who have used them not just as hiding places but also as firing positions. Armed Palestinians have forced their way into churches and monasteries, firing at Israeli troops out of windows and doors, shielding behind civilians, and taking hostages from among the priest and nuns. Last night, Palestinian gunmen in the Church of the Nativity compound opened fire and threw hand grenades at 2 IDF posts in the area of Manger Square. The Palestinian shooting and the grenades caused fire to erupt in several buildings in the compound. The IDF facilitated the entry of Palestinian fire fighters to the area who succeeded in putting out the fire. Two border-policemen were wounded by the Palestinian fire, one severely and one lightly; their families have been notified. The evacuation took place under heavy Palestinian fire. In order to evacuate the wounded policemen, the Israeli force returned fire toward sources of Palestinian fire, killing one of the terrorists. A smoke grenade was also used to help the force to evacuate the injured policemen. There was no use of tear gas against the people holed-up in the church. Sincerely,
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