In the aftermath of the removal of 415 Hamas activists, a number of Knesset factions submitted motions of no-confidence in the Government. Replying to the motions Mr. Rabin expressed his Government's determination to fight Hamas and the Islamic Jihad while continuing the peace process, making compromises and concessions whenever necessary. There will be no compromise in the struggle against those fanatic terrorist organizations. He stated that the removal would be for a limited time only and was in accordance with both international law and Israeli justice. Israel was attentive to criticism of this harsh measure, but the prime minister decried the double standard applied only to Israeli actions but ignored when Arabs expel other Arabs and when the world remains silent in face of the carnage in Bosnia. The Government defeated the no-confidence motions. Excerpts of Mr. Rabin 's statement follow:
With the onset of my remarks, let all members of Knesset and ministers note, as well as the citizens of the State of Israel, let the Arab states and the Palestinians in the territories and the whole world take heed: This Government is serious, sincere, and true in its dream for peace and its willingness and determination to bring peace to Israel. This Government is prepared to compromise, and understands very well the supreme necessity and imperativeness and importance of living as good neighbors and partners, for all of us, and for coming generations.
Nevertheless, with the same degree of willingness and determination, with the same degree of adherence to the goal, this Government will fight any manifestation of violence and terror, and will not permit, and will not allow, neither Hamas nor the Islamic Jihad, to harm citizens of the State of Israel - and it will take all legal steps at its disposal, to battle murderous terrorist organizations. Israel will not let itself be bound neither by hand or foot. Our hand which is extended towards real peace - is the same hand which will pull the trigger to strike the murderers in their sinful deeds.
From the moment of its inception, this Government has set for itself the primary goal of bringing peace to the Israeli people - with Syria, with Jordan, with Lebanon, with the Palestinians in the territories. We have done all we could to advance the peace: we have proposed new formulas in the negotiations, and conciliatory measures in the field which no other Government has offered until now. We have proven our good will, sincerity and truthfulness - because peace is important, first and foremost, to us, to our children. However, the more the chances increased for peace, differences with Washington notwithstanding, so increased the wave of terror, headed by radical extremist Islamic terror.
Since March 1st, 1992, activists of the Islamic fundamentalist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have carried out eleven attacks. According to intelligence information, nineteen other attacks can be ascribed to them. (...)
In contrast to the tear-jerking scenes today on television screens, this is not a band of righteous, innocent and pious men. This is one of the most murderous groups on earth, who has set its main ideology and goal to kill - to kill Jews simply because they are Jews, to destroy the State of Israel, and to prevent at any price to anticipated peace, when it comes. And it will come, despite all their efforts, against their will.
Much has been said and written concerning the Hamas and Islamic Jihad, their beliefs and their people. And I relieve myself from the necessity of dealing with this band of lunatics, but I will bring for your information some of the gems of their doctrine:
- "Let us knock on the doors of the mosques with the skulls of Jews. Let us speak the language of fire and the rifle, blessed be the stone ..."
- "It is the fate of the Jews to be slaughtered at our hands. We have taken upon ourselves to fulfill our obligation to society and to torture them, because torture is the fate of the Jews."
- "No Jew is innocent. All Jews must be killed. Throughout history they have only brought bad luck to the world."
- "The land of Palestine is Islamic sanctified belonging to the Muslims until the end of days. The liberation of Palestine in its entirety, from the sea to the river, is the strategic goal of which there is none higher."
- "Israel will exist until it is destroyed by Islam, the same way it destroyed its predecessors."
- "The Jihad is our course, and death for Allah is the most exalted of our aspirations." (...)
In the framework of our battle to the end against terror, the Government decided on December 16, 1992, (...) to temporarily remove from the area of the territories, Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists who nourish the flames of disturbances and terror.
To the best of my assessment, the Government, in deciding this, realized the full meaning of the decision -- and its subsequent implications. It was clear to the ministers that this was an irregular decision carrying great weight. Yesterday, at the cabinet meeting, the ministers reaffirmed their position, and they firmly support the Government's decision.
(...) To the best of our understanding and judgment, this step of temporary removal for a limited time period, on an individual basis, conforms to international law and Israeli justice.
Four hundred and fifteen Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists have been removed to Lebanon. The operation itself was covert and censored, only in order to ensure the safety of IDF soldiers. In contrast to false reports in the media, the Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists are not in no man's land, but in sovereign Lebanese territory, and as of this morning, in an area under the control of the Lebanese army and government. (...)
I have no pity in my heart, nor do I shed tears. I see the media whining the hypocritical speeches - and I give much thought to Nissim Toledano's orphaned children, the widow of Shmuel Biran, and the bereaved parents of Shmuel Geresh.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad people were escorted this morning by a Lebanese officer, accompanied by the media, and they marched back towards the Israeli border. At almost the same time, the Lebanese defense minister announced that he will not allow the expellees any food or assistance, in order to prove to the world and the Israeli courts that these terrorists are defenseless and deserve pity. I say - we will not permit them to return. The steps taken by the Lebanese are meant to influence the justices of the Supreme Court when they convene as the High Court of Justice.
We are aware of the criticism and we observe the performances on the television screens. We do not believe that the whole world is against us, and this does not mean that we reject the criticism of friends. In fact just the opposite. We are attentive to all opinions, and are willing to hear any criticism. However, the criticism heaped upon us from the protesting world - which gives us advice - is the same world that did not utter a single word when 300,000 Palestinians were expelled from Kuwait. And this is the same world, which sees, day by day, night by night, thousands who die, who are slaughtered, and raped in Bosnia - and does not lift a finger. For some reason, the world enjoys crying on our shoulders - and thank God, we have strong and broad shoulders. But when it comes to our own security, and the security of our children - only we will decide what is best for us.
(...) Our struggle against murderous Islamic terror is also meant to awaken the world which is lying in slumber. We call on all nations and all people to devote their attention to the great danger inherent in Islamic fundamentalism. That is the real and serious danger which threatens the peace of the world in the forthcoming years. The danger of death is at our doorstep. Arid just as the State of Israel was the first to perceive the Iraqi nuclear threat, so today we stand on the line of fire against the danger of fundamentalist Islam.
(...) The policy of the Israeli Government has always been, and will always be based on its yearnings for peace -and war to the bitter end with terror.
Despite our pain over the victims who have fallen in recent months, we continue to adhere to making peace. We have no intention of forsaking the talks taking place in Washington. (...)
These are not easy days for Israel - but we are strong enough to stand at two fronts - the battle for peace and the battle against terror. In both we shall be victorious.