February 6 , 2001

• Just months after U.S. elections, the people of Israel now have spoken through their country’s democratic process, the only one that exists in the entire Middle East. We congratulate Ariel Sharon on his victory and wish him well as he turns to the challenging task of forming a new coalition government.

• Over the years, Israel has had prime ministers and governments with differing approaches to the challenges facing the nation. Clearly, this election signals a desire for some modification in Israel’s policy direction. What has remained constant, however, is the universal yearning of the Israeli people for security and peaceful relations with Israel’s Arab neighbors. Reflecting this desire for a better future, Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon has stressed repeatedly that he intends to pursue unconditional peace negotiations with leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Arab states.

• No doubt some in the international community, particularly in the Middle East, will seek to interpret the results of this election as a setback to prospects for peace. Such a judgment would be unfair and counterproductive. The reality is that peace with the Palestinians will be possible only when Chairman Yasser Arafat and the PA fulfill, once and for all, their commitments under the Oslo Accords to combat terrorism and end the incitement and anti-Israel rhetoric. The cynical campaign of violence conducted in recent months from Palestinian-controlled areas, in part fomented by PA authorities and in part permitted to continue with their acquiescence must come to an end. Syrian support for Hezbollah terrorist activity along Israel’s border must cease as well. We urge Chairman Arafat and leaders of Syria, Lebanon and the other Arab states to reject the path of conflict and instead pursue peaceful coexistence with Israel.

• Anti-Israel elements likely will try to focus on controversial parts of Ariel Sharon’s background. It should not be forgotten that Sharon undertook the difficult task of dismantling Jewish settlements in the Sinai following the Israel-Egyptian peace agreement. And he supported the Hebron and Wye agreements signed with the Palestinians during the period of Benjamin Netanyahu’s service as Prime Minister. In any event, negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are about the future, not the past. That is the only way PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat could possibly be seen as a peace partner.

• We pledges to work in close cooperation with Prime Minister-elect Sharon to strengthen the already strong bonds that exist between the United States and Israel, based on both countries’ shared strategic interests and moral values. The organized American Jewish community cares deeply about the continued security and economic growth of Israel and we look forward to reinforcing the unique partnership that exists between our community and the people of Israel.