ISRAEL MFA
 MFA newsletter
   
 
MFA     Terrorism     Terror since 2000     Palestinian terrorism since Sept 2000

Palestinian violence and terrorism since September 2000

   


The wave of violence which erupted at the end of September 2000 has evolved into an ugly wave of terrorism, of a kind and severity unknown in Israel in recent years.

 The security fence: Israel's line of defense - MFA website
 Saving Lives: Israel's anti-terrorist fence - Answers to Questions (January 2004)
 Saving Lives: Israel's Security Fence (November 2003)
 Why does Israel need a security fence?
    (Powerpoint)
 Israel's Security Fence - Purpose, Concept, Route (Ministry of Defense)

 Anti-Israeli Terrorism, 2006: Data, Analysis and Trends - March 2007
 The nature and extent of Palestinian terrorism, 2006 - March 2007
 The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian confrontation as a case study - February 2006
 Summary of Terrorist Activity 2005 - January 2006
 Summary of Terrorist Activity 2004 - January 2005
 Four Years of Conflict: Israel's war against terrorism (Sept 2004)
 Israel, the Conflict and Peace: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (November 2003)
 Palestinian Terrorism: Flash presentations
 Palestinian Terrorism: Videos
 The Leading Palestinian Terrorist Organizations (August 2004)
 



Click on photos   

 
 
 Special Reports (last update March 2006)
 Victims of Palestinian Violence and Terrorism since September 2000
 In Memoriam

Information in other languages on our embassy websites:



 Tenet Cease-fire Document

 The Tenet cease-fire - unofficial text, Ha'aretz, June 14, 2001
 Major attacks since the Tenet cease-fire agreement took effect on Wednesday, June 13, at 15:00 (IDF Spokesman) - udpated July 10, 2001
 Meeting between FM Peres and Assistant Secretary of State Burns - June 22, 2001
 Cabinet Communique - June 20, 2001
 Summary of Measures taken by Israel since the Entry into Force of the Tenet Document - IDF Spokesman, June 18, 2001
 PM Sharon to US Jewish leaders: Cease-fire violations and murderous attacks are creating an unacceptable situation - June 18, 2001
 Easing of restrictions for Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip - IDF Spokesman, June 17, 2001
 Statements by FM Shimon Peres and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan following their meeting - June 17, 2001
 PM Sharon: Violence and acts of terrorism have not stopped, Palestinian Authority is not carrying out arrests - June 15, 2001
 PM Sharon held a follow-up discussion on the implementation of the Tenet cease-fire document - June 14, 2001
 Press Briefing by Maj.Gen. Giora Eiland on the Tenet cease-fire agreement - June 14, 2001


 Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee

 Statements by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and EU High Representative Javier Solana following their meeting - May 23, 2001
 Preliminary Israeli Remarks on Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee and Statements by Secy of State Powell and Committee Chairman Senator Mitchell - May 21, 2001
 Report of the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee - Summary of Recommendations - Apr 30, 2001 (made public May 21, 2001)
 Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding (Mitchell) Committee Report - April 30, 2001
    Download full report in .pdf format (US Embassy, Tel-Aviv)
 Israel's Comments on the Mitchell Committee Report - May 15, 2001
 FM Peres: Mitchell Report Fair and Balanced - May 6, 2001
 Deputy FM meets with Mitchell Committee Technical Team - Mar 27, 2001
 PM Sharon Meets with Mitchell Committee - Mar 25, 2001
 Stakeout with Senator Mitchell and Foreign Minister Peres following meeting with the Mitchell Committee - Mar 21, 2001
 Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding (Mitchell) Committee - Second Statement of the Government of Israel - March 20, 2001
 Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee - First Statement of the Government of Israel - Dec 28, 2000
 Minister Milo Appointed to Oversee Liaison with Mitchell Fact-Finding Committee - Dec 20, 2000
 PM Barak and Interministerial Team meets with former US Senator Mitchell's Fact-finding Committee - Dec 11, 2000
 Statement by FM Ben-Ami and EU High Representative Solana following their meeting - Dec 11, 2000
 Press Briefing by FM Dir-Gen Liel on the Fact-Finding Committee - Dec 10, 2000
 Israel favors the activity of the fact-finding committee - Dec 3, 2000
 Letter from President Clinton to Senator Mitchell (undated draft)
 President Clinton Announcement on Mideast Fact Finding Committee - Nov 7, 2000
 Sharm el-Sheikh summit - Oct 16-17, 2000


 Suicide bombing in Netanya
(March 4, 2001)

Photo: IDF Spokesman 


©2001 Reuters/Havakuk Levison 

Naftali Dean, 85, of Tel Mond; his niece, Shlomit Ziv, 58, of Netanya; and Yevgenya Malchin, 70, of Netanya were killed in a suicide bombing on Herzl Street in downtown Netanya shortly before 9:00 Sunday morning (March 4). At least 60 were injured. The terrorist was also killed in the blast.

The bombing took place not far from Netanya's central bus station and the city market - an area normally crowded with people, especially on a Sunday morning.

A young man carrying an army-style bag over his shoulder was seen to bang on the door of a bus at the junction. The driver, however, either suspecting something amiss or because it was not an authorized bus stop, did not open the door and drove away toward the central station.

The man, whose actions had attracted the attention of several people in the area, then planted himself next to a group of people close to the pedestrian crossing and detonated the bomb he was carrying.
(Jerusalem Post report)


 Terrorist attack at Azor Junction
(Feb 14, 2001)

Photo: IDF Spokesman 



Shortly before 8:00 AM on Wednesday morning (Feb 14), a bus driven by a Palestinian terrorist deliberately plowed into a group of soldiers and civilians standing at a bus stop, killing eight: Simcha Shitrit, 30, of Rishon Lezion; Staff-Sgt. Ofir Magidish, 20, of Kiryat Malachi; Sgt. David Iluz, 21, of Kiryat Malachi; Sgt. Julie Weiner, 21, of Jerusalem; Sgt. Rachel Levi, 19, of Ashkelon; Sgt. Kochava Polanski, 19, of Ashkelon; Cpl. Alexander Manevich, 18, of Ashkelon; and Cpl. Yasmin Karisi, 18, of Ashkelon. In addition, 25 were injured, several critically.
Names of the injured (J.Post)

The driver of the bus was a 35-year old Palestinian from Gaza, who holds a work permit from the Israeli security forces and has been employed by the Egged bus company for several years to transport Palestinian workers to their jobs in Israel. After fleeing the scene in the bus, he was apprehended by Israeli forces following a chase.

While Hamas claimed responsibility for this deadliest attack in several years, PA Chairman Yasser Arafat declined to condemn the attack, calling it a "traffic accident".

US President Bush said: "I strongly condemn the terrible act of violence in Israel this morning. I have called Prime Minister Barak to express my condolences to the families of the people killed and to all the Israeli people."

PM Barak vehemently condemned the attack at Azor junction as an abominable crime against innocent residents on their way to work and soldiers on their way to their bases. Israel will bring the perpetrators, and those who sent them, to account; they will not get away with it.

PM-elect Ariel Sharon said he viewed the attack with the utmost gravity, adding, "Once again it has been proven that for the Palestinians', there is no difference between Netzarim, the West Bank, the Lebanese border, and the country's very heart." He told Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar: "I was ready to implement immediate measures to make life easier for the Palestinian population, such as removing the closure and the encirclement and [easing] the entry of workers into Israel, and I told this to Yasser Arafat. And behold, a bus transporting [Palestinian] workers commits a terror attack."

 PM Barak orders series of steps in response to attack - Feb 14, 2001
 Response of FM Ben-Ami to terrorist attack - Feb 14, 2001
 Terrorism due to PA Incitement and Economic Suicide - Feb 15, 2001
 Letter from Israel Ambassador Lancry to the United Nations Secretary-General - Feb 14, 2001
 Briefing by Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Liel to the Foreign Press - Feb 14, 2001


 Car bomb in Hadera
(Nov 22, 2000):

Photo: IDF Spokesman 


Photo: Ofira Wolk 

A powerful car bomb was denotated at 17:30 on November 22 alongside a passing bus on Hadera's main street, when the area was packed with shoppers and people driving home from work. Shoshanna Reis, 21, of Hadera, and Meir Bahrame, 35, of Givat Olga, were killed, and 60 wounded in the blast - one of them critically, five seriously, and four moderately to seriously.

Among those seriously injured was Thara Abu-Hussein, an 18-month-old Arab Israeli girl, who suffered burns over 15 percent of her body.

PM Barak: "The responsibility for the attack lies with the Palestinian Authority which released terrorists, members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and encourages and directs its people to carry out attacks. The State of Israel will settle accounts with the perpetrators and those who sent them."

 Suicide and Other Bombing Attacks since Sept 1993


 Kfar Darom schoolbus hit by roadside bomb
(Nov 20, 2000):

Photo: IDF Spokesman 
A roadside bomb exploded at 7:30 in the morning alongside a bus carrying children from Kfar Darom to school in Gush Katif. Two adults accompanying the children were killed and 9 others, including 5 children, were injured, 5 of them seriously.
Defense officials told the emergency security cabinet meeting that the Palestinian Authority was completely responsible for the terror attack, which was carried out by the Fatah Tanzim forces.

Photo: Meir Azoulay 
President Katsav visits Yisrael Cohen, 7, one of three siblings wounded on the attack, whose right leg was amputated below the knee.
Prime Minister Barak: "Today we suffered a very grave attack, carried out by the Fatah Tanzim. The Palestinian Authority is, in our view, directly responsible for this attack. We have therefore once again today taken forceful action against targets of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip...
We attacked targets of the Fatah, Tanzim and Force 17 - offices, buildings, training camps. We also attacked a naval vantage point and a television relay station from which incitement is broadcast to the Gaza Strip...
The Palestinian Authority is systematically violating all agreements and understandings which it signed. Thus, by its own doing, is it accountable for our victims...
We will continue to take vigorous action to bring about an end to the violence. We will act with all force necessary, without restraint. The Palestinian Authority must understand that it will achieve nothing through violence..."

 Statement by PM and DM Barak - Nov 20, 2000


 Car Bomb in Jerusalem
Photo: IDF Spokesman 
(Nov 2, 2000):

At 3:00 PM, two people were killed and 10 injured when a car bomb exploded near the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. The victims were Ayelet Hashahar Levy, 28, the daughter of National Religious Party leader Yitzhak Levy, a former housing minister; and Hanan Levy, 33, a Jerusalem attorney. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

 Reaction of PM Barak - Nov 2, 2000
 Suicide and Other Bombing Attacks since Sept 1993


 Arab Summit in Cairo (Oct 21-22, 2000):

 Israel-Morocco - Closing of Liaison Offices - Oct 24, 2000
 Arab Summit decisions distort reality, disregard Israel's willingness to reach agreement and damage the efforts to achieve peace - MFA Spokesman, Oct 22, 2000
 Israel utterly rejects Cairo Summit closing statement - Oct 22, 2000
 Israel-Tunisia Relations - Oct 22, 2000
 Oman Closes Israel Trade Representation Office - Oct 12, 2000


 Sharm el-Sheikh summit (Oct 16-17, 2000):


Photo: GPO

Main points of statement by President Clinton at conclusion of summit:

  1. Both sides will issue public statements unequivocally calling for an end to the violence and agreed to take immediate concrete measures to end the confrontation, eliminate points of friction, ensure an end to violence and incitement. Both sides will act immediately to return the situation to that which existed prior to the current crisis.
  2. The United States will develop with the Israeli and Palestinians, and in consulatation with the UN Secretary-General, a committee of fact-finding on the events of the past several weeks and how to prevent their recurrence.
  3. There must be a pathway back to negotiations and the resumption of efforts to reach a permanent status agreement. The leaders have agreed that the United States will consult with the parties within the next two weeks about how to move forward.

 PM Barak: Palestinians not honoring Sharm understandings; Time-out to reassess diplomatic process in light of recent events - Oct 22, 2000
 Comparison between Statements by PM Barak and the Palestinian Leadership after the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit - Oct 17, 2000
 Statement by PM and DM Ehud Barak following the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration - Oct 17, 2000
 PM Barak at Conclusion of Sharm el-Sheikh Summit - Oct 17, 2000
 Full text of statements by President Mubarak and President Clinton at conclusion of summit - Oct 17, 2000
 Cabinet Communique - Oct 15, 2000
 Press Briefing by Nachman Shai on announcement of Summit -
14-Oct-2000
 President Clinton Announces Mideast Summit - Oct 14, 2000
 Points of Understanding - Paris Summit Meeting - Oct 4, 2000
 The Sharm el-Sheikh Summit Related Text, Transcripts, Speeches - U.S. Embassy in Israel


 Lynching in Ramallah:

 Two participants in October 12 Ramallah lynching arrested - June 25, 2001
 GPO temporarily suspends Italian journalist's press credentials - Oct 18, 2000
 Press Briefing by Nachman Shai and Maj.Gen. Eiland - Oct 13, 2000
 IDF Statement on Lynching in Ramallah - Oct 12, 2000
 PM Barak: Israel will use all means to defend its citizens and soldiers; warning signal to PA - Oct 12, 2000
 Press Conference by Acting FM Ben-Ami - Oct 12, 2000, 17:00
 Briefing by Acting FM Ben-Ami to Diplomatic Corps - Oct 12, 2000, 19:00
 President Katsav Statement on Today's Events - Oct 12, 2000


 Israelis held captive by Hizbullah (Oct 2000-Jan 2004):


Sgt. Adi Avitan

Staff Sgt.
Benyamin Avraham

Staff Sgt.
Omar Sawaid
 
Elhanan Tannenbaum

Three Israeli soldiers were abducted by the Hizbullah into Lebanon on October 7, and Elhanan Tannenbaum, a civilian, on October 15. Israel continues to hold the governments of Lebanon and Syria fully and directly responsible for these acts and demands information on their whereabouts and condition, and their safe return to Israel. To date, the Hizbullah has not provided any proof of their condition or state of health. The International Red Cross has been denied permission to meet with them.

 Israelis Held by the Hizbullah - Oct 2000-Jan 2004
 Cabinet Communique - Jan 25, 2004
 Israel Government statement on prisoner exchange- Jan 24, 2004
 Cabinet Decision: Framework Principles for the Agreement to Release Israeli Prisoners and Hostages Held in Lebanon - Nov 9, 2003
 Parents of abducted soldiers meet with Tarje Larsen - MFA Spokesman, Jan 17, 2002
 Knesset Resolution Regarding the Kidnapped Israelis in Lebanon - Oct 15, 2001
 DM Ben-Eliezer addresses letter to UN Secy.-Gen. regarding decision not to provide Israel with UNIFIL videotape - July 8, 2001
 DM Ben-Eliezer: UN witholding videotape of relating to kidnapped Israelis - July 5, 2001
 Cabinet: Syria suporting criminal Hizbullah activities - July 1, 2001
 Families of Israeli Abduction Victims Meet with German FM Fischer - June 4, 2001
 President Katsav appeals to French, Spanish and Russian Heads of State on behalf of Israeli abductees and their families - May 6, 2001
 The Families of the Abducted Israelis to Visit the USA and Britain - Apr 29, 2001
 PM Barak Meets with Families of Abducted Soldiers - Nov 27, 2000
 Israeli Citizen Held by Hizbullah - Oct 19, 2000
 Letter from Israel Amb. Lancry to President of the UN Security Council - Oct 7, 2000
 Israel Submits Protest to UN Security Council - Oct 7, 2000
 IDF Soldiers Kidnapped on Northern Border - Oct 7, 2000
 MFA Spokesman - Oct 7, 2000
 Hostility on Lebanese Border - Oct 7, 2000
 Israeli MIAs
 


 Evacuation of Joseph's Tomb:

 Press Briefing by Brigadier Benny Ganz, Head of IDF Division, Judea and Samaria - Oct 7, 2000
 Temporary Evacuation of Joseph's Tomb by the IDF and its Transfer to the Palestinian Authority - Oct 7, 2000


 Exchange of fire at the Netzarim junction
(IDF Spokesman)

The IDF aerial photo below describes the exchange of fire at the Netzarim junction on Saturday, September 30, which resulted in the tragic death of 12-year-old Mohammed Jamal al-Dura.

The IDF position at the junction was subjected to intensive fire from Palestinian positions on all sides, as indicated in the photo. The sketch marks the location of the father and son who took cover next to one of the Palestinian shooting positions at the junction. After Palestinian policemen fired from this position toward the IDF post opposite, IDF soldiers returned fire toward the source of the shooting. The Palestinian boy was apparently hit and killed during the exchange of fire.  

 Who killed Mohammed al-Dura? - David Kupelian, "WorldNetDaily" - Dec 4, 2000
 Who really killed Muhamad Al-Dura? - Israel's War Against Terror - Palestinian Lies & Libels
 French court ruling on al-Dura libel case - May 21, 2008



 Participation of Palestinian children in violence

 Videos:
 (004) - Military training summer camp for Palestinian children
 (008) - Interview with the mother of a suicide bomber
 (010) - "The Seeds of Hatred": Palestinian children are inundated with the language of hate and violence in the classrooms and through the media.
 (011) - Graduation ceremony of 1650 children of the "Islamic society" kindergartens.

 Using teenagers to cary out terrorist missions - 19 June 2005
 Fatah Tricks a 12-year-old Boy into Becoming a Suicide Terrorist - March 15, 2004
 Palestinian exploit children for terror - Background - March 2004
 Gaza child's notebook with pictures of shaheeds - March 2004
 Participation of Children and Teenagers in Terrorist Activity during the Al-Aqsa Intifada - Jan 2003
 The Exploitation of Children for Terrorist Purposes - Jan 2003
 Hamas children's newspaper continues to educate based on virtues of suicide attacks - Dec 22, 2002
 Palestinian children's role in Jenin warfare - Nov 25, 2002
 Response to Amnesty International's Report - "Killing the Future: Children in the Line of Fire" - Oct 1, 2002
 Abuse and Exploitation of Minors to Carry out Terrorist Attacks - Apr 18, 2002


©2001 Reuters/Suhaib Salem
Palestinian boys training with toy guns during Islamic Jihad rally against America and Israel in Gaza
(March 31, 2001)
 AP news report - Apr 1, 2001:
In Gaza, a 13-year-old Palestinian carrying an unloaded Kalashnikov rifle lead a rally of about a dozen children who carried fake guns and were dressed in the traditional white burial clothing worn by "martyrs" killed fighting Israel.
"God is great" shouted the leading child on stage as the children and a crowd of some 300 onlookers repeated after him, "Long live Palestine! Death to America, death to Israel!". Other Palestinian youths burned Israeli and American flags at the demonstration.
In Ramallah, the funeral processions for two Palestinians killed in clashes this week were lead by children wearing belts of fake explosives, which are often used by suicide bombers.

 The picture that moved hearts - Apr 6, 2001
 Letter from Israel Ambassador Levy to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights - Mar 19, 2001
 The Use of Children in Armed Conflict - by Alan Baker and Har'el Ben-Ari, Justice, Winter 2000
 Letter from Israel Ambassador Lancry to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict - Nov 15, 2000
 Jerusalem cleric praises child 'sacrifices' - David Kupelian, "WorldNetDaily", Nov 10, 2000
 Children of the Intifada are Harming Family Planning Programs - El Quds El Arabi, Nov 8, 2000
 Letter from Dr. Issac Kadman to Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Nov 5, 2000
 War is Not a Game and Children are not Puppets - Dr. Issac Kadman, Nov 5, 2000
 Children of the Jihad: Palestinian Kids Raised for War - Jon E. Dougherty and David Kupelian, "WorldNetDaily", Nov 3, 2000
 Letter from Israel Ambassador Lancry to the Executive Director of UNICEF - Oct 27, 2000
 Anti-Israel hatred fuels Mideast violence - Yuval Rotem, Las Vegas Sun, Oct 26, 2000
 Palestinian Child Sacrifice - Prof. Gerald Steinberg, Oct 25, 2000


 Reports:

 Palestinian Suicide Bombers as Victimizers and Victims - March 2006
 Summary of Terrorist Activity 2005 - January 2006
 Suicide bombing terrorism during the current Israeli-Palestinian confrontation (Sept 2000 - Dec 2005)
 Summary of Terrorist Activity 2004 - January 2005
 Four Years of Conflict: Israel's war against terrorism (Sept 2004)
 Fake Israeli ambulances used for terrorism - July 2004
 Palestinian exploit children for terror - Background - March 2004
 2003 Terrorism Review
 Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies Reports
 The official summation of the Or Commission report (as published by Ha'aretz, Sept 3, 2003)
 
Jews, Israel and Peace in Palestinian Textbooks - CMPI Report, May 2003
 
Iraq's Involvement in the Palestinian Terrorist Activity against Israel - January 2003
 
Iranian activities in support of the Palestinian intifada - January 2003
 
The Role of Palestinian Women in Suicide Terrorism - January 2003
 
Participation of Children and Teenagers in Terrorist Activity during the Al-Aqsa Intifada - January 2003
 
Weapons Workshops in Refugee Camps - January 2003
 
Jews, Israel and Peace in Palestinian School Textbooks 2000-2001 and 2001-2002
 Suicide Bombers Commit Crimes Against Humanity - Human Rights Watch, Nov 1, 2002
   
Full report - Erased in a Moment: Suicide Bombing Attacks against Israeli Civilians
 
Social Work Following Terror Attacks, War and Mass Disasters - Jerusalem Municipality, July 2002
 
International Financial Aid to the Palestinian Authority Redirected to Terrorist Elements - June 2002
 
The "Arafat File: The Involvement of Arafat, PA Senior Officials and Apparatuses in Terrorism against Israel, Corruption and Crime - May 2002
 
The Middle East Conflict, Antisemitism and the Holocaust - Yad Vashem, May 2