Israel: Palestinian terrorists out to harm peacemakers

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 15 October 2003 | JPOST.COM STAFF

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Oct. 15, 2003
Israel: Palestinian terrorists out to harm peacemakers
By JPOST.COM STAFF

The deadly road bomb attack on US convoy in Gaza Strip, in which three Americans were killed (see story), has drawn a multitude of Israeli, Palestinian and American reactions:

Israel: No one is immune to Palestinian terrorism

Israeli officials said the attack underscored the need to dismantle Palestinian terror groups — a requirement of the stalled, US-backed "road map" peace plan that Palestinian leaders have refused to carry out.

Officials said Palestinian terrorists are trying to harm even those out to help the Palestinian cause, and that no political progress could be made until a solution to the ongoing terrorism is found.

"What happened is evidence that no one is immune, unfortunately, to Palestinian terrorism, even when we are talking about the representatives of ... the United States, whose entire goal was and remains to advance a peace agreement between the sides," said Zalman Shoval, an adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom called US Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer to offer his condolences and for the "terrible attack in Gaza." He said Israel is offering any further assistance the US may need.

"The Palestinian terror organizations continue to strike indiscriminately, even at those who are working toward bringing peace to the region," Shalom told Kurtzer. "The Palestinian Authority is doing nothing to dismantle the terror infrastructure and continues to give refuge to extremist organizations."

Palestinians: We will investigate

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Wednesday condemned the attack as an "awful crime" and said he ordered an investigation.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad are denying involvement in the attack, the first to target Americans in the three years of Intifada. Both terror groups issued statements saying their conflict is with Israel alone and that they have no interest in taking aim at non-Israeli targets. The groups, however, stopped short of explicitly disclaiming responsibility.

Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat suggested the blast would have "harsh consequences" for the long-standing Palestinian plea for international supervision in the West Bank and Gaza. "These are American monitors that have come here at our request, Erekat said. "These people were here to help us." He pledged the PA would do everything to bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

With Associated Press

[FierceDraka]

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Wednesday condemned the attack as an "awful crime" and said he ordered an investigation.

All I ask for is 5 minutes alone with that murderous piece of swine offal. Just 5 minutes! Is that too much to ask? /feeling mean