(IDF Spokesperson) - The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah, headed by Yasser Arafat, claimed responsibility for the grave terror attack in Kibbutz Metzer. Attempts by Fatah to shake off its terrorist image are a deception to improve its image in Western eyes. Despite the meeting currently being held in Cairo between representatives of Fatah and Hamas, allegedly for the purpose of convincing Hamas to cease terror attacks inside Israel, the terror attack at Kibbutz Metzer proves that there was never any true intention to desist from acts of terror against Israelis, and that all Palestinian organizations, both religious and nationalistic, espouse the same policy. This policy of accepting terror as a legitimate weapon has been espoused recently by the new Palestinian Interior Minister, Hani al-Hassan, who does not oppose attacks against Israeli settlers. Moreover, Palestinian officials have stated that the minister supports the military wing of Fatah, the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which appears on European and U.S. lists of terrorist organizations. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israel and the IDF have been easing restrictions on the Palestinian population to allow them to observe the monthly fast. Food and other products flow into the Palestinian areas and worshippers were given access to the mosques in Jerusalem. Yet, voices within the Hamas and other terror organizations have called for terror attacks especially during Ramadan - the month of Jihad (holy war). The IDF has the moral right and the duty to protect the citizens of Israel and will exercise the right to self-defense as would any other country.
2002-11-12 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive