American Jewish Committee Praises Secretary Powell's Call on Palestinians to End Incitement, Violence Against Israel

American Jewish Committee
Monday, 19 November 2001

The American Jewish Committee praised Secretary of State Colin Powell for delivering an important speech on Israeli-Palestinian peace that can make a contribution toward ending the violence and resuming direct peace negotiations.

"By reaffirming the Administration's support for the Mitchell Committee report, Secretary Powell has made clear that the only path to peace is through direct negotiations, not violence," said David A. Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee. "We support Secretary Powell's initiative to press the Palestinian leadership to end the violence, the first step in implementing the Mitchell report."

"Palestinian Authority Chairman walked away a year ago from Israel's historic offer to achieve permanent peace, and then launched a campaign of violence and terror," said Mr. Harris. "As Secretary Powell pointed out today, "the intifada is now mired in the quicksand of self-defeating violence and terror directed against Israel."

It is time for the Palestinians to heed the call of Secretary Powell "to arrest, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of terrorist acts," to end the campaign of violence and terror, and to end Palestinian incitement against Israel.

As Secretary Powell stated, "The Palestinian leadership must make a 100 percent effort to end violence and terror. There must be real results, not just words and declarations."

"The Secretary has given clear direction to the parties, and we hope also has delivered today the impetus for getting the peace process back on track," Mr. Harris said.

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