This policy, taken to ease the hardships of Palestinian not engaged in violence, has been met with a sharp increase in terrorist activity. The Government of Israel holds the Palestinian Authority responsible for the murder of Shalhevet Pass and the two Jerusalem bombings in light of its release of convicted terrorist prisoners from Palestinian prisons, its persistent refusal to engage in serious security cooperation with Israel, and its failure to act resolutely to combat terrorist elements operating from within the territory under its control. The stance of the Palestinian leadership blatantly contravenes Chairman Arafat s explicit commitment to renounce the use of violence and to act to control those who perpetrate it. Israel again calls on Chairman Arafat to abide by his commitments, to take concerted action against terrorist elements, and to work to ensure that such atrocities do not recur in the future. The international community must speak in one voice of clear condemnation of such brutal and loathsome acts.
Peace is impossible when civilians, let alone innocent babies, are considered fair targets.
I should be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter circulated as an official document of the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 164, and of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.