As Israel and the Palestinians continue to work to forge a comprehensive and lasting peace, much focus has been placed on protection against terrorism and violence, a key element of any possible permanent agreement.

Until now...the Palestinians have not eradicated such incitement and hostile propaganda. In fact, in many cases, Palestinian Authority officials or PA organs have been responsible for public anti-Semitic statements.

However, for the long-term success of such an agreement, creating an environment of reconciliation, understanding and tolerance between the two peoples is also essential.

In 1993, when Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat signed the Declaration of Principles, both sides agreed to recognize each other's "mutual legitimate and political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security." In this spirit, they agreed to inaugurate a new era of reconciliation and understanding. In subsequent agreements, the Palestinians reconfirmed their commitment to removing violence and terror and both sides again pledged to implement confidence-building measures to promote mutual understanding and tolerance.

In the 1995 Interim Agreement (or Oslo II), Chairman Arafat agreed that the Palestinian Authority (PA) "shall seek to foster mutual understanding and tolerance and shall accordingly abstain from incitement, including hostile propaganda, against each other and, without derogating from the principle of freedom of expression, shall take legal measures to prevent such incitement by any organizations, groups or individuals within their jurisdiction."

The Note for the Record that accompanied the Hebron Protocol of 1997, which was signed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chairman Arafat, reaffirmed the Palestinian commitment regarding, "Preventing incitement and hostile propaganda, as specified in the Interim Agreement."

Most recently, the October 1998 Wye River Memorandum included a section on "Preventing Incitement." Drawing on past agreements, this section states that, "the Palestinian side will issue a decree prohibiting all forms of incitement to violence or terror . . ." The Memorandum also provides for the establishment of a joint U.S.-Palestinian-Israeli committee which will meet on a regular basis to monitor cases of possible incitement.

Until now, however, the Palestinians have not eradicated such incitement and hostile propaganda. In fact, in many cases, Palestinian Authority officials or PA organs have been responsible for public anti-Semitic statements. The following is a compilation of such statements that clearly violate both the word and the spirit of signed agreements.

Next: Public anti-Semitic statements from the Palestinian Authority