Jerusalem, 22 October 2000

Israel expresses its disappointment at the Tunisian government's decision today to sever relations with Israel and to close the Tunisian Interest Office in Tel Aviv and the Israeli Interest Office in Tunis.

Israel is surprised at the Tunisian decision. It appears that Tunisia has elected to renounce its potential role as a bridge for dialogue between Israel and its neighbors, thereby harming the critical effort to promote regional peace.