173 Foreign Minister Peres-s Statement on the Murders in Afula- 6 April 1994

In the wake of the Hebron massacre, Hamas vowed to carry out attacks on Israelis. These threats were delivered publicly by the Hamas' spokesman in Amman. On 6 April, a car driven by a suicide bomber blew up next to an Israeli bus in Afula, killing 8 Israeli civilians and wounding many others. Following is the reaction of the foreign minister to this outrage:

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, responding yesterday (Wednesday), 6.4.94, to the attack in Afula, said: "I am filled with sorrow and mourning; our hearts go out to the families [of the victims] and to the wounded, whom we pray will make as speedy a recovery as possible." Mr. Peres added that it is clear that there are extremist elements who seek to murder the peace process and who want to kill Jews because they are Jews. Mr. Peres expressed his opinion that there is no connection between the Oslo Agreement and the terrible events which occurred yesterday. "We must continue with the peace process," he said, "and not allow Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to damage it."

Mr. Peres noted that the massacre committed by Baruch Goldstein in Hebron has exacted a high price from us and there is no guarantee that we have finished paying for it. When such an incident occurs, support for peace wavers; but peace must be examined and evaluated according to its results. Even now, said Mr. Peres, he already hears reserve soldiers, mothers and young people Welcoming the fact that they will not be forced to do reserve duty in Gaza.