Attacks in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv – Letter from Israel

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SECURITY COUNCIL

Fifty-first session Fifty-first year

Item 154 of the preliminary list*

MEASURES TO ELIMINATE INTERNATIONAL

  TERRORISM

Letter dated 4 March 1996 from the Permanent Representative

of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the

Secretary-General

Two horrendous and premeditated acts of terror were perpetrated by Palestinian extremists today and yesterday in Israel.

Today, at approximately 4 p.m. local time, a suicide bomber struck outside a busy shopping mall in downtown Tel Aviv.  According to early reports, more than 12 Israelis were killed and 35 were injured.

On Sunday, 3 March, at 6.25 a.m. local time, a Hamas terrorist detonated a bomb on a commuter bus travelling on Jaffa Road in downtown Jerusalem. According to the most recent accounts, the explosion killed 18 Israelis and injured an additional 7.

Sources from the military wing of the fundamentalist organization Hamas have claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Jerusalem.

These crimes were the most recent in a series of five attacks, which have taken over 50 lives in one week alone.  They occurred one week following Hamas suicide bombers committed two similar atrocities in Jerusalem and one in Ashkelon.

The peace process, to which Israel remains committed, is predicated on the assumption that the Palestinians and others are determined to bring about an end to the cycle of violence and bloodshed that has plagued our region for decades. The terrorists try to continue to prevent the dawn of a new day of hope for the Middle East.

According to article 15 of the Israeli Palestinian Interim Agreement on the Gaza Strip and West Bank, signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington on 28 September 1995, "[b]oth sides shall take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities directed against each other …".

In order to ensure the safety and personal security of all of its citizens from indiscriminate acts of terror, the Government of Israel has decided to move towards a separation of the Israeli population from the Palestinian population of the territories.  In addition, Israel is now engaged in an all-out war against Hamas and other terrorist organizations whose primary targets are citizens of Israel.  The Government of Israel demands that the Palestinian Authority, all Arab States, and all partners to this peace join in this war, using all means at their disposal.

Israel has demanded that the Palestinian Authority crack down on terrorism, the terrorists, their infrastructure, and their means of support, in accordance with the Interim Agreement, which states that the Palestinian police is committed to "act systematically against all expressions of violence and terror".  The existence of Hamas and other parallel armed orders within the self-rule areas is intolerable and must cease.  Chairman Arafat must outlaw, dismantle, and disarm these groups.

Israel calls upon all Member States to join those who have already unequivocally condemned these crimes.  It is the responsibility of the international community to stop these terrorist activities against Israel by taking measures against individuals and organizations who provide aid and funds to Hamas and other terrorist groups.  Terror is an unequivocal threat to the peace process; the elimination of terrorism is a sine qua non for enhancing the peace process.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under item 154 of the preliminary list, entitled "Measures to eliminate international terrorism", and of the Security Council.

                                               (Signed)  Gad YAACOBI

                                                          Ambassador

                                              Permanent Representative of Israel

                                                    to the United Nations

* A/51/50.

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