Jerusalem, November 21, 2000

Israel rejects the declaration of the French Presidency regarding the situation in the Middle East, which was issued on November 20, at the end of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting. This is a one-sided declaration that clearly ignores the responsibility of the Palestinian leadership for the incitement of violence and terrorist attacks.

Israel takes a grave view of the blame attached to Israel for the lack of progress in the peace process, and rejects the notion that the settlements are the main reason for the Palestinian frustration and violence. Israel responds to the Palestinian violence in self-defense, and rejects the ostensibly "even-handed" call for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to end the violence.

It is Israel that has repeatedly called for an end to the violence, and for a renewal of the negotiations. Thus, this one-sided declaration contributes not one iota to the revitalization of the peace process. Furthermore, it encourages the Palestinians to renege on their commitments to end the violence.

Moreover, Israel expresses its great disappointment and dismay regarding the failure of the French Presidency to condemn the murderous Palestinian terrorist attack on a bus of schoolchildren in Kfar Darom. It is intolerable that attacks on Israeli civilians are ignored.