March 29, 2002

In the wake of the terrorist attacks that took the lives of 31 Israelis in the past 3 days and injured hundreds, Israel has decided to launch wide-ranging actions aimed at destroying the Palestinian terror infrastructure.

What follow are a statements by Prime Minsiter Ariel Sharon outlining Israel's policies and a press briefing by Secretary Colin L. Powell in which he strongly condemns Palestininian terror and reaffirms the US' commitment to peace in the Middle East.

Statement by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting on Friday, March 29, 2002.

In the past few days we have witnessed horrific terrorist attacks - the attack during the Pesach Seder in Netanya, where 21 people were killed, tonight's events in Elon Moreh, resulting in 4 deaths, and the incident which is currently taking place in Netzarim where so far two people have been killed.

I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the bereaved families. I know that there is no remedy for your pain, and I believe that we all share this expression of condolence and sympathy. I also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, among them there are still a large number of people who are very severely injured.

All this has happened at a time when Israel's hand was - and still is - extended towards peace. We have done everything in our power to achieve a cease-fire and an immediate entry into the Tenet process in order to advance any possibility of a cease-fire. All we have received in return was terrorism, terrorism and more terrorism.

No sovereign nation would tolerate such a sequence of events.

Therefore, the government, in a special session lasting throughout the night, and in accordance with the recommendations from all the security agencies - the Chief of Intelligence, the Chief of the GSS, and the Director of the Mossad - has made the following decision:

The Government has approved principles for extensive operational activity against Palestinian terrorism. As we speak, the IDF is already inside the 'Mukta'a' in Ramallah.

Israel will act to crush the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure, in all its parts and components, and will carry out comprehensive activity to achieve this goal.

Arafat, who has established a coalition of terror against Israel, is an enemy and at this point he will be isolated.

The Government has authorized the mobilization of reserve forces, in accordance with the operational needs, in order to enable the IDF ongoing, lengthy activities in various terrorism centers.

On behalf of the government of Israel and the citizens of Israel and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my best wishes to the IDF for success in this mission.

At times such as these we are all required to demonstrate responsibility and mainly unity, and I am confident that we will do so.

Excerpts from a briefing on the situation in the Middle East by Secretary Colin L. Powell in Washington, DC on March 29, 2002

"[Prime Minister Sharon] advised me that the cabinet was meeting to decide what action the Israeli Government should take in response to the recent spate of terror incidents, and he also advised me that of whatever actions they might decide to take, it would not include bringing any harm to Chairman Arafat or killing him. And subsequent statements by Israeli officials suggest that it is not their intention either to capture him.

They have determined to isolate him and, as you know, Israeli Defense Forces are now operating in Ramallah and there has been a significant call-up of Israeli Defense Forces. I have a call in to Chairman Arafat and hope I will have a chance to reach him right after this press conference. General Zinni remains in the region, and he and our diplomatic representatives in the region are in touch with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. General Zinni did speak to Chairman Arafat earlier today.

Once again, terrorism -- terrorism that targets innocent civilians -- has dealt a serious blow to the effort to achieve a cease-fire, and to find a political solution to the crisis in the Middle East. Once again, terrorists have set back the vision of the Palestinian people for a state that would live in peace side by side with Israel. The United States government condemns these acts of terror, and those responsible for them.

In recent weeks, there was cause for some guarded optimism. As you know, beginning last fall the President put down his vision at the United Nations for a Palestinian state living side by side in peace with a Jewish state, Israel. We also saw positive reaction to the speech that I gave in Louisville, and then just a couple of weeks ago, the United Nations passed an important Security Council resolution, introduced by the United States. And it went through the Security Council in a record period of time -- with a vote of 14-0 and only one abstention, Syria -- calling for a state for the Palestinian people.

The Arab summit in Beirut earlier this week, while it did not provide a complete solution, it laid out a vision, a bold vision, what was put forward by Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. And it was embraced by all of the Arab nations. Prime Minister Sharon in recent weeks showed a great deal of flexibility with respect to conditions he had previously held to with respect to what it would take to get into the Tenet work plan. Both sides welcomed General Zinni's return to get the Tenet work plan started, which would then lead to the Mitchell process and the political solution, the political discussions and negotiations that we all are hoping for. The Vice President paid a trip to the region and was prepared to see Chairman Arafat if circumstances had permitted.

So there was reason for guarded optimism. And let's be clear about what brought it all to a halt: terrorism. Terrorism on the part of those who would target innocent civilians. Innocent civilians going about their daily lives -- shopping, trying to assemble in a restaurant to celebrate an important occasion in their religious life. That it what has caused this crisis to come upon us -- not the absence of a political way forward, but terrorism in its rawest form.

The President, I, all my colleagues, the United States people condemn in the strongest possible terms this series of terror attacks, including this morning's Jerusalem bombings and the other acts of terrorism which have killed innocent Israeli civilians.

We have spoken out clearly, and do so again now, for Chairman Arafat to act, act against those responsible for these acts and to make clear to the Palestinian people that terror and violence must halt now. All those who support peace must reinforce this message. The international community is delivering this message. I ask Arab nations to deliver this message. I ask my colleagues in the European Union and nations around the world to deliver this powerful message.