Communicated by the Israel Government Press Office, June 15, 1998

– The Agreement –

Under the terms of the Oslo accords, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is obligated to take “all measures necessary” to combat terrorism.
Article XV (1) of the September 28, 1995 Interim Agreement (“Oslo 2″) states, “Both sides shall take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities directed against each other, against individuals falling under the other’s authority and against their property, and shall take legal measures against offenders.”

Article II (1b) of Annex I to the Oslo 2 accord states, “The Palestinian Police will act systematically against all expressions of violence and terror.”
Paragraph 3c of the same article obligates the Palestinians to “apprehend, investigate and prosecute perpetrators and all other persons directly or indirectly involved in acts of terrorism, violence and incitement.”

In the Note for the Record of the January 15, 1997 Hebron Protocol, the Palestinians reaffirmed their commitment concerning “Fighting terror and preventing violence”.

– The Violations –
Chairman Yasser Arafat’s invitation to Hamas to join the Palestinian Authority (PA) Cabinet is a serious violation of the Oslo Accords and the Hebron Protocol.

On June 13, 1998, PA Secretary Tayeb Abdel Rahim said “We are inviting all factions – those who participate in the government and those who do not, including Hamas – to participate in consultations on the new government.” (Associated Press, June 13, 1998)

Hamas is a terrorist organization which has taken “credit” for the murder of hundreds of Israelis. It opposes any recognition of Israel’s legitimacy and right to exist.

Arafat’s invitation to a terrorist group to participate in Palestinian governmental activity without demanding that it renounce terrorism and disarm its military wing makes a mockery of the PA’s promises to wage a systematic campaign to uproot the terrorist infrastructure.