FM Peres to European FM-S- Arafat will be judged by his actions and not by his declarations

(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)
December 2, 2001

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres spoke on Sunday, December 2, 2001, with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen. The European Foreign Ministers expressed their condolences.

Foreign Minister Peres said that this week has been the most blood drenched week we have ever known. The Foreign Minister went on to say that Arafat must undertake the same actions that he undertook in 1996, and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah in the territories, and prevent terrorist actions and murder against Israel.

Foreign Minister Peres said that Israel is no longer willing to settle for declarations by the PA, and stated that there are many more warnings of impending attacks. The Foreign Minister said, "Arafat will be judged by his actions and not by his declarations."