American Jewish Committee CondemnsVigilante Attack on Palestinian Family

American Jewish Committee
Sunday, 22 July 2001

The American Jewish Committee today expressed outrage over the vigilante killing on Friday of three Palestinians, including a baby, in the West Bank.

"We join with the government of Prime Minister Sharon, with leaders of the settler movement and with the Israeli people in condemning this despicable attack," said Harold Tanner, president of the American Jewish Committee, who arrived in Jerusalem over the weekend as the head of an international American Jewish Committee delegation.

"Terrorism is inexcusable, and rather than advance the quest for peace, it is aimed at destroying the desire to achieve a lasting peace," said Mr. Tanner.

"Prime Minster Sharon's immediate condemnation of the attack which members of the extremist Kach movement have perpetrated, stands in stark contrast to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat's condoning of terrorism," he said.

The AJC delegation has come to Israel this week to express solidarity with the government and people of Israel as they confront a nearly yearlong campaign of violence and terror launched by the Palestinian Authority.

"We again join with the Israeli people in their guest for peace, and urge the Palestinian leadership to join with Israel in implementing a cease-fire," said Mr. Tanner.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org