Palestinian Leaders Must Condemn Netanya Bombing, End Violence, Grab Israel's Hand for Peace

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 18 May 2001

American Jewish Committee Acting Executive Director Shulamit Bahat today called on Palestinian and other Arab leaders to condemn the terrorist outrage in Netanya, and to call, once and for all, for an end to the violence that was initiated by the Palestinian Authority last September.

Ms. Bahat issued the following statement:

"Our hearts go out to the victims of the terrorist bombing at a Netanya shopping mall – timed to attack innocent Jewish shoppers preparing for Shabbat.

"Last summer Israel presented the Palestinians with an historic offer to achieve real peace, with far-reaching compromises on every major issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But Palestinian leaders inexplicably rejected an opportunity to fulfill their people's aspirations and achieve real peace.

"To Israel's forward-looking offer Arafat never gave a reply, not to Israel and not to the United States. Instead, the Palestinians, with his encouragement, responded with a campaign of violence that, after more than seven months, has needlessly and tragically cost the lives of hundreds of Palestinians and Israelis.

"The Palestinian leadership knows well that the significant achievements in peacemaking – including transferring to Palestinian control all major towns in Gaza and the West Bank, and 98 percent of the Palestinian population – resulted from direct, face to face, negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, not from violence.

"Israel's hand for peace is still outstretched. The Palestinian leadership should grab it and join Israelis in the quest for peace."

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