American Jewish Committee Condemns Palestinian Authority War Against Jews

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 9 August 2001

"Today's heinous Palestinian suicide bombing attack in the heart of Jerusalem, murdering at least 18 Israelis and wounding many dozens more, is yet another despicable act in the Palestinian Authority's war against the Jewish people," said David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee.

"How many Israelis will have to pay with their lives while Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian leadership create an atmosphere that encourages and glorifies such suicidal attacks?" said Mr. Harris. "When will the Palestinian Authority end the daily incitement in Palestinian media, schools and mosques that leads to such heinous acts?"

As Ambassador Martiin Indyk pointed out in yesterday's New York Times op-ed page, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat can stop the violence if he chooses to do so.

"Why then has Arafat consistently refused to arrest any of the more than 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists he freed from Palestinian jails last fall? Why does he condone, if not encourage, terrorist actions? Why is there never an explicit condemnation of terrorism by Arafat? Why are there no concrete actions by the Palestinian Authority to stop terrorist activities?" said Mr. Harris.

"Instead of bringing an end to the violence, as mandated by the Mitchell Commission, the Palestinian leadership is continuing its unconscionable policy of refusing to meet the minimum conditions necessary to resume negotiations with Israel," Mr. Harris said.

"It is long overdue for the international community, in particular those Western nations that are funding the Palestinian Authority, to unequivocally speak out against this duplicitous Palestinian strategy, and press Arafat to end the violence and take the steps necessary to resume negotiations toward a permanent peace agreement," said Mr. Harris.

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