Urgent announcement by the Arab League Council on the Permanent Representatives Level
Held on 22-3-2004, on the permanent representatives' level, the Arab League Council strongly condemns the terrorist operation carried out by the Israeli occupation forces today by dawn, and left Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, founder of the Islamic Resistance Movement, and a number of his escorts as martyrs.
The Council stresses that apart from having reflected the state terrorism in its most hideous forms and proved the continuity of the Israeli aggressive policies; the subject operation leaves no doubts over the Israeli government's determination to demonstrate to the entire world its rejection to restore peace, and further tears down any sign of hope for an improvement of the ever deteriorating situation-the responsibility of which it assumes in the first place.
The Council further asserts that the dubious timing of the subject operation clearly displays that the Israeli leadership, which exercises violence and terrorism in its most horrifying form, pays no consideration to the initiatives aimed at achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region through the termination of occupation and establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as a capital.
In view of the above, the Council holds the Israeli leadership responsible for the subject crime, and calls upon the Security Council to assume its responsibility through the adoption of necessary actions in order to seriously and instantaneously deter the Israeli government's aggressive practices, which will definitely lead the region to a bloodbath, endangering the international security and peace.
Extending its condolences to the Palestinian leadership and people, and to the family of the martyred, the Council calls upon all to consolidate during this critical period of the history of the Palestinian cause.
The Council also stresses its full support of the Palestinian steadfastness in the face of the occupation until the liberation of the Palestinian territories and establishment of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital.
Document Sources: League of Arab States (LAS)
Subject: Extrajudicial killings, Incidents
Publication Date: 22/03/2004