Prime Minister Ariel Sharon held a press conference last night following the downing of the Russian passenger plane over the Black Sea - which took off from Israel\'s Ben Gurion Int\'l airport with mostly Israelis on board - and in the wake of the deadly Arab terrorist attack in Afula which claimed the lives of three Israeli citizens.
Sharon said: \"Today a Russian plane en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, carrying 66 passengers and 12 crewmen, went down. This is a terrible tragedy for both Israel and Russia. I spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and we agreed on full cooperation between Israel and Russia in investigating this tragic incident. I have also instructed Israel\'s Minister of Transportation, Dr. Ephraim Sneh, to coordinate activities in this regard.\"
\"Today, Israel suffered another heinous Palestinian terrorist attack [in Afula], which took a heavy toll: Three dead and seven wounded. All our efforts to reach a cease-fire have been torpedoed by the Palestinians. The fire did not cease, not even for one day. The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take all necessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel. We can rely on ourselves only.\"
\"We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult political campaign. I call on the Western democracies, and primarily the leader of the free world, the United States: Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for \'a convenient temporary solution.\' Do not try to appease the Arabs at our expense - this is unacceptable to us. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terrorism.\"
\"There is no \'good terrorism\' and \'bad terrorism,\' as there is no \'good murder\' and \'bad murder.\' Terrorism, as we witnessed this week in Elei Sinai, is worse than murder. We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately, there is no swift and immediate solution, but if we confront this terrorism united, we will be able to overcome it and bring peace. And we shall overcome.\"
Since the Prime Minister\'s speech last night, more details surrounding the downing of the passenger plane have been uncovered. While conflicting reports continue to emanate from the Russian media regarding the recovered cockpit of the plane, Russian authorities released an official statement today saying that the door to the cockpit had holes in it which resemble those of bullets. Further examination is necessary to verify that the holes were caused by bullets. United States officials say that the plane was apparently downed accidentally by a surface-to-air missile during a large-scale Ukrainian military exercise. But, Ukraine says that the plane was far out of range of any missiles used in the exercise.
Sixteen bodies have been pulled from the water. An Israel Air Force Hercules cargo flight with search and recovery teams on board is still awaiting the necessary permits to enable it to takeoff and join the rescue efforts in the Black Sea. An Israel Navy ship will also join the search early next week.
Sharon said: \"Today a Russian plane en route from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk, carrying 66 passengers and 12 crewmen, went down. This is a terrible tragedy for both Israel and Russia. I spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and we agreed on full cooperation between Israel and Russia in investigating this tragic incident. I have also instructed Israel\'s Minister of Transportation, Dr. Ephraim Sneh, to coordinate activities in this regard.\"
\"Today, Israel suffered another heinous Palestinian terrorist attack [in Afula], which took a heavy toll: Three dead and seven wounded. All our efforts to reach a cease-fire have been torpedoed by the Palestinians. The fire did not cease, not even for one day. The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take all necessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel. We can rely on ourselves only.\"
\"We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult political campaign. I call on the Western democracies, and primarily the leader of the free world, the United States: Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when enlightened European democracies decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for \'a convenient temporary solution.\' Do not try to appease the Arabs at our expense - this is unacceptable to us. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terrorism.\"
\"There is no \'good terrorism\' and \'bad terrorism,\' as there is no \'good murder\' and \'bad murder.\' Terrorism, as we witnessed this week in Elei Sinai, is worse than murder. We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately, there is no swift and immediate solution, but if we confront this terrorism united, we will be able to overcome it and bring peace. And we shall overcome.\"
Since the Prime Minister\'s speech last night, more details surrounding the downing of the passenger plane have been uncovered. While conflicting reports continue to emanate from the Russian media regarding the recovered cockpit of the plane, Russian authorities released an official statement today saying that the door to the cockpit had holes in it which resemble those of bullets. Further examination is necessary to verify that the holes were caused by bullets. United States officials say that the plane was apparently downed accidentally by a surface-to-air missile during a large-scale Ukrainian military exercise. But, Ukraine says that the plane was far out of range of any missiles used in the exercise.
Sixteen bodies have been pulled from the water. An Israel Air Force Hercules cargo flight with search and recovery teams on board is still awaiting the necessary permits to enable it to takeoff and join the rescue efforts in the Black Sea. An Israel Navy ship will also join the search early next week.