Embassy of Israel Briefing

January 6, 2003
No One is Safe from Palestinian Terrorism

The Palestinian terrorists knew that they would kill foreign workers when they targeted the area of Tel-Aviv's former central bus station, since they had attacked this very same spot a few months ago. Indeed, five of the twenty-two victims of yesterday’s dual suicide bombings were foreign workers. Palestinian terrorists are determined to kill as many people as possible, from as many countries as possible.

The Palestinians are taking advantage of this period – the eve of the war against Iraq - to attack Israel, expecting that Israel's hands will be tied by the international community. But, the government of Israel, like any democratic government, has the right - and indeed the obligation - to defend itself against terrorist attacks.

President Bush, in his historic speech of June 24th, said that leaders compromised by terror cannot be partners for peace. Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority, by perpetrating terror through forces under their direct responsibility, namely the Fatah, Tanzim, al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, and by aiding and abetting the terror of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, cannot be partners for peace.

Enclosed is a picture from yesterday’s terrorist attack.

Sincerely,

Moshe Fox
Minister of Public Affairs
Embassy of Israel, Washington D.C.