Jerusalem, October 15, 2001

I had thought to focus my remarks today on the developing global front against murderous terror, against which we have stood for many years, for many of those years alone.

I had thought to do this because the Knesset is opening its winter session today during a fateful period for peace in Israel, the region and the world. The free world has awakened.

The war in Afghanistan is the first stage in the free world's historic struggle against terror and those who give sanctuary to terror. This is a struggle against evil. This is a war on which Israel - like every freedom-loving country - has a clear position, with a hope and prayer to the Creator of the world that it may achieve results.

In this struggle, in which values feature prominently, the free world must win. The free world - courageously led by the United States and President George Bush - must win; we must win.

I said that I wanted to focus on the implications of the global war on terror today, but domestic political developments oblige me, first of all, to comment on what is occurring here.

What has occurred is as follows:

Last Friday, the security Cabinet decided to take certain steps. First, to continue the war against Palestinian terror, those who abet it and those who initiate its murderous actions. This is in continuation of previous Cabinet decisions. We do so, and will continue do so, until the Palestinian Authority understands that it must stamp out the terrorism that operates from its territory and with its assistance.

We have had many successes in this struggle against terror. Terror is terror and murder is murder, and there is no difference where in the world it strikes. Therefore, we will continue to implement our right to self-defense. I have made this clear to our friends around the world even as we make every effort to prevent escalation.

The second decision we took was to ease sanctions on the Palestinian population not involved in terrorism - that population which wants to earn a living and raise its children quietly. My position on this has been well-known since the establishment of the government, and I have reiterated it on countless occasions. These measures to ease sanctions have nothing to do with terrorism; the question is whether they threaten security. This must be done, first of all, because we must be humane, and secondly, because doing so will make it easier for us to face the difficult diplomatic and security struggle yet before us.

To my dismay, circumstances for which we are not responsible have made it difficult for us to implement these steps. I will now do so because this is the correct course. We are not fighting the Palestinian people; we are fighting terror and those who perpetrate it.

And third: The security Cabinet decided - following Palestinian appeals and Palestinian commitments that there will be no further shooting in Hebron - to withdraw from the Abu-Sneineh hill and the Hareth a-Sheikh neighborhood. This was the decision of the security Cabinet. The Palestinian commitment will be tested, like every issue that we will discuss with the Palestinians now and in the future, not by words and declarations but solely by results. We made this unequivocally clear that if there is shooting, the IDF will immediately retake control of both these and additional areas.

There is no struggle over principle here. The principle was decided, to my regret, by our government - a government of which I was a member, although I voted against it. Our aim is to achieve quiet for the residents of Hebron, and if it is possible to do so without our having to be there, like we did in Gilo, by a combination of military and diplomatic steps, this - in my opinion - is what must be done. This is the opinion of a majority of the government and this is my position, and thus I have done. The objective is not Abu-Sneineh, the objective is to eliminate terror, those who aid it and those who initiate its actions; we are doing this, have done so, and will continue to do so.

"Do you trust the Palestinian police, the promises of Palestinian Authority?" This question has reverberated since yesterday in the media and political corridors.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset:

I trust the IDF and its excellent commanders who are at the forefront of a difficult struggle; I trust the Israel Police and the Border Police and their commanders who are working night and day to assure the lives of Israeli citizens, and our excellent security services. I am relying on them and only on them, we rely only upon ourselves. I have also made this clear to our friends around the world and they know it.

In the wake of the decision to leave Abu-Sneineh and Hareth a-Sheikh, the National Union-Yisrael Beitenu faction has - to my regret - decided to quit the government.

My friends, Ministers Zeevy and Lieberman, I admit that you have caused me much heartache. Unity is crucially important and decisive for Israel's standing, not to preserve the government or the prime minister. You have caused me heartache. But you have caused Arafat much satisfaction and made his dreams come true. My friends, Gandhi and Yvette, you have made his day.

We have experts in toppling governments. They toppled Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and received Oslo. They toppled Prime Minister Netanyahu and received Camp David.

Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset:

Israel is in the midst of a difficult and complicated military, diplomatic, economic, and social struggle, a struggle which requires responsibility, caution, sagacity and equanimity.

I appeal to you, my friends: What do you want to do now? Combat terrorism or engage in electioneering? Whoever now thinks that the State of Israel must go to elections - let him stand up. Mr. Speaker, please count.

Today, national unity is no less important than any tactical or technical measure that we are doing or carrying out on the ground. The key to a solution is not only in our hands, and when I say our hands, I mean all of ours. The broader the unity, the easier it will be for us to achieve solutions, and they will be not be simple or straightforward.

In the Midrash Tanhuma we read: "When Israel is united, even if there is idolatry among them, the [Divine] attribute of strict justice does not touch them."

Let us remember that there is a government in Jerusalem that maintains its democratic character. There is a leadership which makes decisions in Jerusalem.

I am leading the government and am doing what I think is right, not as a result of pressure and compromise. I cannot be pressured and I do not intend to make any compromise on issues which endanger the security of Israel.

I call upon you to reconsider your steps and remain in the government, because all of the Zionist parties are bound by a single, common line - the future of the State of Israel.

Thank you.