Statement by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon following his meeting
with Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt
Jerusalem, 18 November 2001
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
I extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Guy
Verhofstadt, who is also the President of the European Council,
and Mr. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission.
Welcome to Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people for more
than 3000 years, and the united, undivided capital of Israel
forever.
Israel is a peace-seeking nation. Our hand has always been
extended in friendship to our neighbors, and today we wish to
pursue the path of peace.
We want peace with our Palestinian neighbors, real peace, peace
for generations - Israeli generations and Palestinian
generations. Israel wants peace, but we must not forget that
during this last year the State of Israel has been facing a
campaign of brutal terrorism that has been forced upon us by the
Palestinian Authority. The source of this terror and incitement
emanates from Chairman Arafat, who leads this coalition of terror
in cooperation with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hizbullah, Fatah,
Tanzim, and Force 17. Every time Arafat reports to the
international community that he is arresting terrorists, we see
those same terrorists freely roaming the streets, and preparing
bombs and explosives. Fortunately for us, these bombs and
explosives occasionally hit the ones who place them.
Our aim today is first of all to bring about a cease-fire, to
bring quiet. The negotiating team that I established and which I
head, in conjunction with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, will
conduct negotiations to reach a cease-fire. When there is quiet,
when the terror finally ceases, then we can talk peace.
I said in the past that in exchange for real peace, the State of
Israel would be willing to make painful compromises. However,
there will be no compromise on the security and safety of the
citizens of Israel.
The bilateral relations between Europe and Israel are based on a
long-standing tradition of shared values: democratic freedom and
market economy. The scope of our mutual trade reaches almost $25
billion a year and there is cooperation in the field of research
and development. It is important that these relations further
develop for the benefit of all parties, regardless of political
issues relating to the Middle East conflict.
The heads of the European Union have an important role to play in
order to reach the peace for which we all yearn. I call upon you
to assist the Palestinian people by building factories,
establishing infrastructures and investing in the Palestinian
industry. Do not transfer your funds to the Palestinian Authority
as your money will then be used to purchase weapons and firearms
- weapons which will be directed against the State of Israel.
Your role today is to invest in people.
Again, I wish to thank the Prime Minister and the President of
the European Commission for taking time out from your problems to
assist us with ours. I am convinced that when this sought-after
peace is finally achieved, we will be happy to reciprocate.