The partial closure of the West Bank and Gaza decided upon on 14 March did not terminate terrorist activity. In March alone 15 Israelis were killed by terrorists in the territories and inside Israel. Stabbing incidents increased in number. The public mood was gloomy. On 30 March the cabinet resolved to impose a full closure of Judea and Samaria in addition to the Gaza Strip. Palestinian residents of the territories would not be allowed to enter Israel, with the exception of Arab residents in Jerusalem. The IDF forces in the areas were to be bolstered. Other measures would be undertaken by the security forces to combat terrorism. Part of the Government's aim was to achieve a gradual reduction in the number of Palestinians either working or residing in Israel, leading to virtual separation of Palestinians from Israelis to minimize friction. In a televised message to the nation, the prime minister also called for the continuation of the peace talks irrespective of the current security situation. This was in response to demands by the opposition parties to halt the peace process until terror ends. Text of Mr. Rabins statement and response to questions follow:
I turn to you, citizens of Israel - I understand the pain and concern and rage because, indeed, we are in the midst of a difficult period of an escalation in Palestinian terror. In the past month, 15 Israelis were murdered in the areas of Judea, Samaria and sovereign Israel. For a long time now, terror has escorted us throughout our lives [here) and - to my sorrow - has [caused] the death of many of us. [Still, it has] never defeated us, and it will not defeat us. I want to express my condolences to those families that have lost their loved ones, and to wish a [speedy] recovery to the wounded.
The question is asked: What must we do now? The first thing is an all-out war against terror. The second thing [required] is to boost our spirits [so that we may] rise to the test in order to win - and so that our enemies will not think that we have become weak. Thirdly, we must not lose confidence and hope that we will achieve peace and resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict (including the Palestinian-Israeli [issue]).
As prime minister and defense minister, I convened the cabinet today in order to make decisions - first and foremost -on how to combat terrorism. We made the following decisions: Firstly, [we resolved] to impose a closure on Judea and Samaria, in addition to the closure on Gaza; to prevent the constant friction between 120,000 Palestinians and the about four million residents of the State of Israel - to prevent the reality in which every Palestinian can draw out a knife and stab, and injure (on top of [other] terror activities). [AlsoJ from tomorrow, Palestinian residents of the territories will not be (allowed into] the sovereign territory of the State of Israel until further notice - obviously excepting the Arab residents of united Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
Secondly, [we decided] to bolster IDF forces in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. The actual closure - leaving the 100,000-120,000 Palestinians who worked in Israel within the territory of Judea, Samaria and Gaza - is liable to or may increase tensions. Thus, the IDF will bolster its forces because we are responsible for the lives of all Israelis who live in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. There are political disputes between us, but the Government is responsible for the security of the Israeli residents who live in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
Thirdly, [we are resolved] to improve the activity of the IDF which has been ongoing for a long time with significant successes, [but] which has not yet eradicated terror. We will intensify [such] activity and take measures (which I will not detail). In all matters relating to internal security, [the government advocates] strengthening the police force, and enlisting in the Civil Guard and strengthening it.
If possible, I would also like to address the media. I [saw] the headlines regarding the stabbing of a few youths; they are three times larger than the media headlines on the eruption of the Six-Day War. The media also has a role in the calming of passions.
I believe, from my experience (as one who fought in the War of Independence, the Six-Day War and therebetween), that we did not win with weapons - we were victorious because of our spirit and the steadfastness of the nation (behind the military), even in time of distress - and I believe that, if we persevere in this all-out war against terror, we will also withstand the test of pain and concern. [Thereby] we will not lose [our] confidence that we will eventually achieve peace, which will solve the Arab-Israeli conflict - and give us all a chance to live in peace, and to build our homes and country. I believe that, if we act accordingly, we will achieve our aim.
Q: You are aware of the sense of many [people] that the Government is helpless and that the level of personal security in Israel has dropped to a low point.
A: Firstly, I clearly said that the last month has indeed been a very difficult one. The reasons are not important for now; the problem is what to do. The closure (until further notice) will reduce the friction between the majority of the Israeli population and the Palestinian residents of the territories who worked in Israel - and they were a major source of concern for mothers, fathers and others. I have no doubt that, as we reduce tensions within sovereign Israel (including greater Jerusalem) between Palestinians from the territories and Israelis, the internal security of all Israelis will increase. Yes, we are responsible for the Israeli residents in the territories - and the IDF, the police, the Border Police and other security branches are in charge thereof - and I believe that with the reinforcements, in light of the closure, we will succeed in inflicting harsh blows (beyond those to date) [to terrorist operations].
Q: But you are aware of the fact, and have said, that such closures - in a short time - heighten the frustration, distress and bitterness, and thereby increase terror.
A: It increases primarily in the territories and, thus, the IDF reinforcements [have been instituted]. I see a difference in the need, first of all, to make sure that these stabbing phenomena - in Bat-Yam, in Tel Aviv, in Rehovot, in Nazareth and everywhere else within the sovereign area of Israel (where most of the more than four million Israelis are concentrated) - do not recur. My foremost obligation is to ensure their safety in the face of those who can be prevented from [jeopardizing] it.
Q: But how long can you keep the cover on the pot?
A: My purpose is to achieve a gradual reduction, as fast as possible, in the number of Palestinians from the territories who work within Israeli territory. This mixture gives them the possibility of challenging the security of most of the Israeli population. The battle over the territories and against terror will be a difficult one, At the same time, we are pursuing two parallel tracks which are not affected by each other: the war on terror (on which there is no political limitation; the IDF will make every effort, according to its considerations, to fight terror within the confines of the law) and the continuance of the peace negotiations - which is not the response to terrorism, but is the answer to the resolution of the conflict (which, if achieved, will give a chance to a gradual reduction in the level of terror).
Q: How long can you keep the territories blocked off under closure and under the distress of which you are aware? Everything will re-erupt afterward.
A: The situation is different today. Today, there is a possibility of the Palestinian delegation (of residents of the territories) solving the problem with us around the negotiating table. Thus, I have a moral, practical, security and even political justification for telling them that - if they want to solve the problem - the place [for this] is around the negotiating table. I am permitted to keep the territories closed as long as necessary. The problem is not the Palestinians, but the Israeli employers; can we get organized to withstand the absence of Palestinian labor with Jewish or other labor?
Q: Are your [suggesting] the prevention of [Palestinians] being employed in agriculture for example? After all, we encounter cases wherein the bait is too enticing and terror [results].
A: Let us look at what has happened, In the Gaza Strip, in Nissanit and in Gush Katif, during the transport of laborers, four Israelis have been murdered by workers who were with them! The two Israelis killed in Nissanit and the other two in Gush Katif were armed with revolvers, but their familiarity brought them not to be prepared to defend [themselves]. This work and familiarity, and this de facto trust, create the conditions for the knifings - even when the Israeli [involved] is armed - and, ultimately, the Israeli is murdered, and his weapon is taken and added to the arsenal of the terrorists.
Q: Then why do you and the government not prevent - even by law - the employment of residents from the territories from here on, at least in the [field] of agriculture within certain areas?
A: There is no [relevant] law. We are operating on a [case-by-case] basis. The goal for now is separation, so that the resident of sovereign Israel knows there are no Palestinians from the territories within sovereign [Israel], except for in united Jerusalem. A terrorist gang may infiltrate [this area] - [although,] I hope not - but this creates distress in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, and thus forces were bolstered. Even the war against the major terror gangs, [belonging] to all the various terrorist organizations, is within the territory of Judea and Samaria. And I hope that with the reinforcements (we will win, but] the war will not be short. [Still,] the separation of the Palestinians from within Israel and their isolation is foremost. I have never wanted Gaza in Tel Aviv, not within a political resolution or a current solution.
Q: Are we in the midst of an emergency situation on the terror front, or can you commit to the public that the situation will now be different?
A: I know that there are those who cast out proposals for solutions in an instant. Our experience with terror until today has proven that this is a continuing war, which will be won by the people who do not tire and who do not reach spiritual, depths. I understand the pain and concern of the people, [but] we have endured much more difficult periods. I believe that, via a path we are taking and the measures we have implemented, we will succeed in fighting terror. There is no hermetic solution against every attack, but terror can be brought down and the way to negotiations -wherein there is a resolution to the conflict - can be opened.