A Campaign Of Organized Terrorism Throughout Israel

This is no longer the question of a single terrorist operation, but rather of a campaign of organized terrorism thought the country: Suicide bombers, car bombs, shooting and bombs. The objective of the terrorists is to kill as many Israeli as possible, to sow as much fear and terror and try to use terrorism to force [Israel] to agree to conditions dictated by the Palestinians.

This is an around-the-clock campaign of terrorism, and its aim is to undermine our way of life: That of a woman who goes to the market, a couple shopping at the supermarket, innocent passengers on a bus and train, as well of teenagers on a weekend outing.

This is terrorism which receives the support and encouragement of the Palestinian street, the Palestinian leadership and Arafat. He knows how to make statements against terrorism, but on the ground does nothing to stop this madness.

This is no longer terrorism only by Islamic Jihad, Hamas or Tanzim. This is a terrorism by all of the Palestinian organizations. The ideological borders have been blurred. They are all united under the umbrella of a single ideology, that of sowing the terror of terrorism in Israel.

This is terrorism that does not take into account the times and schedules of a visit by envoys and mediators. This is a terrorism which also knows how to slap senior envoys such as Zinni in the face, and let them him know he is not wanted here, that we will get the job done against Israel and the Jews ourselves.

This is a campaign of terrorism that regretfully has not received the sincere and sweeping condemnation of Europe. On the contrary. There are European countries which say this is a “legitimate struggle.” Even the American reaction is ambiguous and unsatisfying.

There is no choice. One has to stand strong against this terror, to continue taking all the preventative measures, and to employ all means available to prevent terrorists form leaving PA territories, even if it entails suffering for civilians. Everything must be done to prevent Palestinians from crossing the Green Line.

The Palestinians must understand, even if the explanation will be made the hard way, that if they do not expunge this terrorism from their midst, they are likely to pay a far heavier price. T

his article ran in Yedioth Ahronoth on November 30, 2001