¨Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has affirmed this principle while also calling Israel's creation a crime.

¨Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas does not oppose armed struggle.

¨Palestinians continue to obstruct the normalization of relations between Arab/Islamic nations and Israel.

¨Hamas remains committed to Israel’s destruction.

“Hamas declared on Wednesday that it would not accept any permanent cease-fire with Israel.” —Jerusalem Post, January 7, 2009.

“Peace can be achieved only if Israel withdraws to the last centimeter of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967.” — Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei, Jerusalem Post, December 13, 2008.

¨Hamas and Israel agree to a cease fire in Gaza effective June 19, 2008.

¨Abbas and Olmert agreed to a cease fire at the end of November 2006.

¨Abbas and Sharon agreed to declare an end to hostilities during a summit in Egypt.

¨Palestinians continue to threaten violence if their demands aren't met.

¨Even after Israel withdraws completely from Gaza, Palestinians continue to fire rockets into Israel on an almost daily basis.

The following are a sample of the most recent violations:

“Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday fired at least 13rockets into Israel's southern communities, including Be'er Sheva and Ashkelon.” — Haaretz, January 7, 2009.

“A three-month old baby girl sustained light shrapnel wounds on Tuesday morning when a Grad rocket hit a residential building in Gedera. In total, 23 rockets had hit civilian areas in southern Israel by early Tuesday afternoon.” — Jerusalem Post, January 6, 2009.

“Hamas continued its rocketing of innocent Israeli civilians on Monday afternoon, lightly wounding nine people when it fired two Grad rockets at Ashkelon....Some 30 rockets had been fired at the South by mid afternoon....On Sunday, around 50 rockets were fired into southern Israel....Due to the continuing attacks, schools, kindergartens and other educational institutions within a 40-kilometer range from Gaza remained closed Monday.” — Jerusalem Post, January 5, 2009.

“Hours after IDF troops and tanks entered the Gaza Strip, Palestinian terrorists continued bombarding southern Israel, firing some 25 rockets and mortar shells at the western Negev on Sunday morning.” — Jerusalem Post, January 4, 2009.

“A Grad rocket fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Thursday scored a direct hit on an eight-floor residential building in the northern Negev city of Ashdod, nearly 40 kilometers from the Hamas-ruled coastal territory. More than 20 rockets were fired at the Negev on Thursday....” — Haaretz, January 1, 2009.

“Gaza terrorists continued to pound southern Israel Wednesday on the fifth day of IDF Operation Cast Lead, firing some 60 rockets at civilian areas and lightly wounding four people in attacks on Ashkelon and Ashdod.” — Jerusalem Post. December 30, 2008.

“Palestinian terrorists continued to rocket southern Israel Tuesday afternoon, bringing the total number of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip to over 30 since morning.” — Jerusalem Post. December 30, 2008.

“Gaza terrorists fired over 50 rockets at southern Israel Monday, the latest two hitting open areas in the Eshkol region, causing no casualties or damage. Earlier Monday, Hanni Al-Mahdi, 27, of the Beduin town Aroer in the Negev, was killed and at least 14 people were wounded when a Grad-type missile hit a construction site in Ashkelon's city center.” — Jerusalem Post. December 29, 2008.

“Over 35 rockets were fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip on Sunday, as two of the projectiles, reported to be Grad-type rockets - landed near Ashdod, some 40 kilometers from Gaza....In the afternoon, two Grad rockets also hit Ashkelon, lightly wounding wo people and causing minor damage. Eight more residents were evacuated to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon and treated for shock. In the Eshkol region, one person was lightly wounded when a rocket hit the roof of a building in a kibbutz.” — Jerusalem Post. December 28, 2008.

“Beber Vaknin, 58, of Netivot was killed when a Kassam rocket struck an apartment building, and five other Israelis sustained light to serious wounds after rockets hit a synagogue in southern Israel on Saturday, 27 December. Hamas' armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Netivot.” — Israeli Foreign Ministry

“Gaza terrorists fired four Kassam rockets at the western Negev on Tuesday, the first attacks after a day-long informal cease-fire.” — Jerusalem Post. December 23, 2008.

“Three people were wounded Wednesday during a tough day in southern Israel that saw more than 20 rockets fired at Negev communities.” — Ynet, December 17, 2008

“Palestinians continued to attack southern Israel on Saturday, firing two Grad-type rockets, two Kassam rockets and three mortar shells into the Negev throughout the day.” — Jerusalem Post, December 6, 2008

“A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open area near Sderot on Thursday evening.” — Ynet, December 4, 2008.

“Palestinian gunmen fired two Qassam rockets from Gaza on Tuesday. One rocket landed near a town in Shaar HaNegev Regional Council, and the other fell in Eshkol Regional Council.” — Ynet, December 2, 2008.

“A Qassam rocket exploded Monday afternoon in an open area near a kibbutz south of the city of Ashkelon.” — Ynet, December 1, 2008.

“Hamas is adamant the truce is not over – but it feels decidedly otherwise for Sderot's residents. A Qassam rocket launched from northern Gaza landed in an open area in the town on Sunday afternoon. Another rocket landed in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. In addition a barrage of five mortar shells landed in open areas in the Eshkol Regional Council.

On Saturday, surgeons at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon were forced to amputate the leg of 21-year-old Noam Nikash of Beersheba, one of eight soldiers wounded by a Palestinian mortar shell attack on a Nahal Oz IDF base the previous night. The seven other troops, including two female soldiers, were lightly to moderately hurt in the attack.” — Jerusalem Post, November 28, 2008; Ynet, November 30, 2008.

“A Qassam rocket launched from northern Gaza Monday evening landed on the coast near Ashkelon, adjacent to an Ashkelon suburb.” — Ynet, November 24, 2008.

“Three Qassam rockets were fired at the western Negev on Saturday.” — Haaretz, November 22, 2008.

“A Qassam rocket fired from the northern Gaza Strip on Friday morning landed in an open area in the city of Ashkelon's southern industrial zone.” — Ynet, November 21, 2008.

“Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fired three Kassam rockets and two mortar shells at the western Negev on Tuesday afternoon.” — Jerusalem Post, November 17, 2008.

“Palestinian terrorists in Gaza fired three Kassam rockets at the western Negev on Monday afternoon.” — Jerusalem Post, November 17, 2008.

“Palestinians fired a Kassam rocket at Sderot on Sunday evening, lightly wounding one man and sending two people into shock....Earlier on Sunday, two rockets landed in the Eshkol Regional Council near a kibbutz.” — Jerusalem Post, November 17, 2008.

“Five Grad-type Katyusha rockets were fired at the region, one of which hit the city center and another that landed on its outskirts. Three more struck open areas. Shortly afterwards, another Kassam rocket landed in a kibbutz in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. Also, a mortar shell exploded near the Kissufim area. Three people were sent into shock as a result of the attack and were evacuated to Ashkelon's Barzilai Hospital. Earlier Friday, Gaza terrorists fired ten Kassams at the South, one of which lightly wounded an elderly woman in a Sha'ar Hanegev kibbutz..” — Jerusalem Post, November 13, 2008.

“Two Kassam rockets landed in the western Negev last night.” — Jerusalem Post, November 12, 2008.

“Southerners woke up to another day of rocket attacks Friday as Palestinian terrorists fired five Kassams at western Negev neighborhoods....The rockets landed in the Sderot, Eshkol and Sha'ar Hanegev regions.” — Jerusalem Post, November 7, 2008.

“More than 30 Kassam rockets were fired at southern Israel after an IDF operation in the Gaza Strip....Three of the Kassams damaged greenhouses in the western Negev, and two Kassams fell in Ashkelon, one in a residential neighborhood.” — JTA, November 5, 2008.

“Palestinians fired two mortars into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon.” — Jerusalem Post, September 21, 2008.

“Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the IDF to close all crossings to the Gaza Strip after a small bush fire broke out on Sunday afternoon when a Kassam rocket fired from Gaza landed on the outskirts of a Sderot neighborhood.” — Jerusalem Post, September 14, 2008.

“The Israeli military says Gaza gunmen launched two rockets Monday evening, causing no damage or casualties. The military says Monday's fire brought to 46 the number of rockets launched by militants since the truce began.” — AP, August 26, 2008.

“A Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza landed in an open area belonging to the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council early Saturday evening. Another rocket landed in the same region last Wednesday. The ‘Color Red’ rocket alert sirens sounded throughout Sderot and the other communities neighboring Gaza.” — Ynetnews.com, August 9, 2008.

“Amidst confirmations from both Israel and Hamas of a cease-fire to come into effect Thursday morning, Kassam rockets launched from the Gaza strip continued to land in various areas of the western Negev, with one scoring a direct hit on a house in Sderot on Wednesday.” — Jerusalem Post, June 18, 2008.

“A Grad-type rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Monday struck an Ashkelon cemetery leaving one person lightly to moderately wounded. Another rocket exploded inside the city. The victim suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck. Several other people suffered from shock and were treated by emergency medical staff at the scene.” — Haaretz, June 17, 2008.

“Eighteen mortar shells were fired from Gaza toward the Nahal Oz area noon Tuesday.” — Ynet, June 11, 2008.

“Shortly after noontime, at least 18 mortar shells fired by Palestinian gunmen pounded the western Negev.” — Jerusalem Post, June 10, 2008.

“A Thai worker was lightly wounded by shrapnel Sunday when a Kassam rocket landed in a western Negev moshav....The Kassam was part of a four-rocket salvo that landed near the Eshkol Regional Council before noon.” — Jerusalem Post, June 8, 2008.

“On Friday afternoon, a Kassam rocket landed near Sderot's Sapir College, damaging six cars. A second rocket landed in the town, one hit an open area and a fourth apparently landed in the Eshkol region....Earlier, nine mortar shells slammed into the western Negev....The barrages came moments after Amnon Rozenberg, who was killed Thursday by a Gaza shell that hit the Nirlat paint factory at Kibbutz Nir Oz, was laid to rest at the kibbutz cemetery.” — Jerusalem Post, June 3, 2008.

“Five people were wounded Tuesday when a barrage of Palestinian Kassam rockets hit the Eshkol region in the western Negev.” — Jerusalem Post, June 3, 2008.

“Two mortar shells fired from Gaza landed in the Ashkelon Beach region on Friday morning.” — Jerusalem Post, May 30, 2008.

“A Palestinian rocket, likely a Grad, fired by terrorists from the Gaza Strip, landed near the western Negev town of Netivot late Tuesday morning.” — Jerusalem Post, May 27, 2008.

“14 people were wounded Wednesday evening, including a mother and her three-year-old daughter, when a Grad rocket fired from Gaza hit the Hutzot Shopping Center in Ashkelon.” — Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2008.

“Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the Ashkelon Beach region on Tuesday evening.” — Jerusalem Post, May 13, 2008.

¨Abbas has explicitly said he would not disarm terrorist groups or dismantle their infrastructure.

¨Abbas has said he will stop attacks on Israel.

¨Abbas has also said he will not use force to confront terror.

¨Hamas rejects Abbas’s orders.

“The American officers responsible for monitoring Israeli and Palestinian compliance with the road map peace plan recently criticized the Palestinian Authority's counterterrorism efforts....Specifically, the Americans are concerned that the PA does not engage in the full spectrum of counterterrorism activities, including arrests, interrogation and trial, as it would if it were trying to eradicate the armed wings of Islamic terrorist organizations.” — Haaretz, March 28, 2008.

“Incoming Palestinian interior minister Saeed Seyam, chosen by Hamas to oversee three security services, said on Thursday he will not order the arrest of militants carrying out attacks against Israel.” — Reuters, March 23, 2006.

“IDF forces killed early Thursday at least two terrorists belonging to Islamic Jihad’s armed wing as they were attempting to place a bomb along the security fence in central Gaza.” — Ynet news, March 23, 2006.

“On Sunday, IDF soldiers arrested two Palestinians at the Beit Iba checkpoint north of Nablus after discovering in their possession a 15-kilogram explosive device.” — Haaretz, March 13, 2006.

“The defense establishment has identified a joint effort by Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah to initiate a new wave of terror....Security sources told Haaretz that the Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah headquarters in Damascus and Beirut were streaming large sums of money into the territories to spur on terror cells to carry out attacks.” — Haaretz, February 6, 2006.

“IDF forces operating in Jenin this weekend surrounded a headquarters for Palestinian military intelligence following information that several wanted Islamic Jihad terrorists were hiding in the building....The Palestinian commander admitted that he had aided the Islamic Jihad terrorists, who had hidden in the building overnight.” — IDF, January 3, 2006.

“A Palestinian suicide bomber killed five people outside an Israeli falafel stand. Islamic Jihad claimed reponsibility for Wednesday´s attack on Hadera, calling it "revenge" for Israel´s killing earlier in the week of its top West Bank commander in an army raid. At least 33 people were also wounded by the terrorist, who blew himself up in the town´s outdoor market. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a condemnation.” — JTA, October 27, 2005.

“Abbas's national security advisor, Jibril Rajoub, denied on Tuesday that the PA was planning to disarm Hamas or any other armed group. ‘We haven't called for disarming anyone,’ Rajoub said. ‘There is no decision to collect [illegal] weapons and we haven't taken any steps in this direction.’” — Jerusalem Post, October 18, 2005.

“Palestinian Authority police were given orders Thursday to round up guns from terrorist factions and, thereafter, to arrest anyone seen in public with an unlicensed weapon....The round-up of weapons, while likely to be welcomed by Israel, falls short of the Palestinian Authority’s obligation under the U.S.-led ‘road map’ to dismantle terrorist groups.” — JTA, September 30, 2005.

“The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday rejected an appeal from the Quartet to dismantle armed militias and called on the international community to stop meddling in the Palestinians' internal affairs....PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the appeal, saying the Palestinians knew how to handle their own affairs. ‘With regard to the issue of the armed Palestinian groups and our dealings with them, this is an internal affair.’”— Jerusalem Post, September 22, 2005.

“The Palestinian Authority on Saturday released two men jailed in connection with the February 25 suicide bombing at the Stage club in Tel Aviv, in a bid to persuade Islamic Jihad to abide by the unofficial truce with Israel.” — Jerusalem Post, June 11, 2005.

¨PA Interior Minister Abdel Razzak Yahya, who is formally in charge of the Fatah-controlled security forces in the West Bank, said that the PA was determined to disarm all armed groups as required by the road map plan for peace in the Middle East.

¨Similar orders given in the past were never implemented.

¨Militant factions vow resistance to surrendering weapons, and use the cease-fire period to enhance their weapons’ arsenal.

“Several Palestinian armed groups on Sunday rejected attempts by the Palestinian Authority to confiscate their weapons, vowing to thwart such moves.” — Jerusalem Post, November 18, 2007.

“Khaled Mashaal, whose group has carried out dozens of deadly suicide attacks on Israelis over the years, also restated Hamas' rejection of U.S. and Israeli demands to disarm.” — AP, November 30, 2005.

“Defying a Palestinian Authority ban on public displays of weapons, about 1,000 people brandishing assault rifles and rocket launchers marched through Gaza City on Thursday and vowed to hold on to their arms. Members of the Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades, fired into the air while their leaders made speeches insisting on the right to bear arms against Israel.” — Jerusalem Post, November 17, 2005.

“The Palestinian Authority announced on Sunday a security plan aimed at disbanding the armed wing of Fatah and recruiting hundreds of its members to the security forces....It was also unclear Sunday night whether all Fatah militiamen had accepted the plan....the plan is directed first and foremost towards Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, whose members are largely responsible for the current state of lawlessness and anarchy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.” — Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2005.

“Thousands of Hamas terrorists paraded with weapons through the streets of Gaza City on Sunday in the group's largest show of force in years, defying Palestinian efforts to ban public arms displays.” — Ynetnews.com, September 19, 2005.

“Abbas ruled out disarming Hamas, saying any such attempt "would be a useless move destined to plunge us into a civil war.” — Jerusalem Post, September 12, 2005.

“Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa declared on Saturday that the PA has no intention to disarm armed Palestinian groups as demanded by the road map peace plan.” — Jerusalem Post, (June 11, 2005)

“We are committed to resistance and will not consent to any dismantling of resistance groups and laying down arms before the occupation leaves our land.” — Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal told Al-Jazeera TV, AP, May 26

“The Palestinian Authority reiterated Wednesday it had no intention of disarming militants despite constant Israeli calls for such a move and a recent pledge to crack down on unlicensed weapons.” — Reuters, May 4, 2005.

“‘As far as I know, the Palestinians have completed gathering the weapons of wanted militants in Jericho,’ [head of Israeli military intelligence] Maj. Gen. Aharon Ze’evi told Israel Radio on Thursday, according to Ha’aretz. But P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas has ‘no intention of using force against Hamas and collecting its weapons,’ Ze’evi said.” — JTA, May 6, 2005.

“Palestinians told [Israel Radio Arab Affair Correspondent Avi Yissakharov] that while the PA has made announcements regarding the collection of weapons that in fact the weapons have yet to be collected.” — Israel Radio, April 19, 2005.

“Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that his security forces have collected the weapons of all the fugitives in Jericho and Tulkarm - the cities which were transferred recently to Palestinian security control. Abbas further assured that arms would be confiscated in all cities that would be transferred to PA control, including weapons in the hands of Hamas members.” — Jerusalem Post, April 19, 2005.

“Only policemen and security personnel will be allowed to carry weapons.” — President Mahmoud Abbas, Jerusalem Post, January 27, 2005.

“We agreed to hide our weapons, to keep them out of public view, but we are not going to hand them over to the Palestinian Authority," said Kamal Ghanem, an Al-Aqsa Brigades fugitive....[Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman] said a demand that gunmen hand over their weapons ‘is not acceptable.’” — Associated Press,  April 6, 2005.

¨Abbas has acknowledged the need for such consolidation, and has said he will merge the security forces into three organizations. He has not yet done so.

¨The Palestinian Authority has been unable to impose law and order and the areas under its control have grown increasingly chaotic.

“It is a well-known fact that the vast majority of incidents that create the chaotic security situation in the territories originate with the security forces themselves....Abu Mazen has tried to compromise, mediate and outline agreements with the heads of the security services, but in practice, it turned out that he is incapable of controlling them and imposing security reforms.” — Haaretz, November 29, 2005.

“Palestinian Authority policemen went on a rampage in Nablus....The incident is the latest sign of growing anarchy and lawlessness in Nablus and other Palestinian communities.” — Jerusalem Post, September 19, 2005.

“Hundreds of members of the dominant Palestinian Fatah movement began training in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday for what they said would be a popular army to help keep law and order after Israel withdraws this month....It was far from clear how any new force might fit into the security structure and appeared certain to add to the current jumble of at least a dozen forces, many divided by deep rivalries and with a poor history of cooperation.” — Reuters, August 2, 2005.

“Some 50 members of the Palestinian Authority's Military Intelligence Force on Wednesday blocked main roads and stormed public buildings in the Gaza Strip in protest against the PA's decision to reconstruct the Palestinian security forces. Armed with AK 47 assault rifles, the protesters also raided the offices of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Rafah, demanding that the PA rescind its decision.” – Jerusalem Post, June 1, 2005.

“We will also work towards merging the security forces into three organizations” – Jerusalem Post, January 27, 2005.

¨Abbas has agreed to pay government subsidies to the families of terrorists.

“On the very day of a suicide bombing in Netanya, it has been reported that the chairman of the Palestinian Authority gave budgetary approval to assistance for the families of suicide bombers.    Each martyr's family will receive a monthly stipend of at least $250 from the PA.” — News First Class (Hebrew), December 5, 2005.

“Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to unfreeze Hamas funds held in a number of Palestinian banks.” — Jerusalem Post, February 14, 2005.

“The U.S. hopes the PA will cooperate with Israel to halt the flow of money to terrorist organizations, Undersecretary of the Treasury Stuart Levey, who heads the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said Monday during a visit to the region.” — Haaretz,  February 15, 2005.

¨Abbas has asserted his intention to reduce incitement, and initial actions are underway.

¨Abbas called Israel the “Zionist enemy” during his election campaign.

¨Incitement continues to be found in P.A. institutions, including the media.

“The distribution of anti-Israeli anti-Semitic hate propaganda continues throughout the Palestinian Authority (PA)–administered territories. Although both the electronic and printed PA-controlled media have lowered the tone of their hate propaganda under Abu Mazen, the Palestinian terrorist organizations (and other Palestinian elements) have found alternative methods for distributing its (often anti-Semitic) propaganda and inculcating incitement to hatred and violence among Palestinians. The PA has limited the diffusion of such messages by its official media, but does not take effective steps to stop it as part of its policy of not confronting the Palestinian terrorist organizations.” — Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies, December 5, 2005.

“Following The Jerusalem Post's report Tuesday that Palestinian textbooks contained references to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as an integral part’ of Zionist history, the Palestinian Authority has promised to remove the mention from future textbooks.”— Jerusalem Post,  July 14, 2005.

“Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Mohamed Dahlan accused on Wednesday the Jewish settlers for poisoning the lands in the settlements that Israel is intending to evacuate in mid August.” — People's Daily Online ,  June 29, 2005.

“Following the Revelations on the Israel Resource Review on April 30th, 2005 and May 1st, 2005 (www.IsraelBehindTheNews.com) that the official Palestinian Authority media has been alleging that Israeli soldiers have been murdering women at checkpoints with the use of radiation equipment, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister commented that ‘The Government of Israel rejects such charges in no uncertain terms and sees this Palestinian statement as part of an orchestrated campaign of incitement against the state and people of Israel.’”

“The Palestinian Authority has decided to impose restrictions on preachers who deliver sermons in West Bank and Gaza Strip mosques...The move is seen as an attempt by the PA leadership to stop incitement against Israel and the US in mosques.”— Jerusalem Post,  March 9, 2005.

“Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told the Israeli Cabinet Sunday that there has been a substantial change in the content of Palestinian television broadcasts in the past few days. ‘This is evident in the end of inciting broadcasts," he said. However, "the change must be deeper and include public awareness, starting with the education system, universities and so on, where the change in content is not yet evident.’”— Haaretz,  February 7, 2005.

“Palestinan television has been ordered to cleanse its screens of bloody imagery by the newly elected president, Mahmoud Abbas, to chime with a new mood of ‘peacemaking'' in the region.’” — Telegraph,  February 6, 2005.

¨Abbas appointed Salam Fayed as the new Prime Minister to replace Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

“Salam Fayed is a former World Bank economist, he ran as the head of a third way group of independents in the elections that actually brought Hamas to power, then the Hamas-led government was boycotted by the international community, but when Hamas and Fatah formed a unity government in March, Salam Fayed was named the finance minister, and the US and the EU resumed contact, at least through him.” — AM, June 16, 2007.

¨Implemented.

“I extend my hand in peace to Mahmoud Abbas, elected President of the Palestinian Authority. On behalf of the State of Israel, we are willing to negotiate with a Palestinian Authority.” - Prime Minister Olmert Speech to Congress, May 24, 2006.

“Mr. Sharon also spoke ‘about the Palestinian independent democratic state’ and ‘about the occupation, never to be an occupier anymore,’ Mr. Abbas said.” — New York Times, February 14, 2005.

“In today’s Government decision [in favor of disengagement], Israel proved that it is willing to make painful compromises and take great steps towards achieving peace. I said that many times, and I would like to repeat it today.” — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, February 20, 2005.

“To our Palestinian neighbors, I assure you that we have a genuine intention to respect your right to live independently and in dignity. I have already said that Israel has no desire to continue to govern over you and control your fate. We in Israel have had to painfully wake up from our dreams, and we are determined to overcome all the obstacles which might stand in our path in order to realize the new chance which has been created.” — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, February 8, 2005.

“For their part, the Palestinians can then also live in dignity and freedom in an independent state, and, together with us, enjoy good neighborly relations, while cooperating for the good of both our peoples..” — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, December 16, 2004.

“We can also reassure our Palestinian partners that we understand the importance of territorial contiguity in the West Bank for a viable Palestinian state.” — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, June 4, 2003.

“It is in Israel's interest not to govern the Palestinians, but for the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state. A democratic Palestinian state fully at peace with Israel will promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as a Jewish state.” — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, June 4, 2003.

¨Israel has resumed dismantling illegal outposts.

“The IDF on Thursday demolished several structures in the unauthorized outpost of Yad Yair, near Ramallah, prompting settler protests throughout the area. The army declared Yad Yair a closed military zone, announcing that it would arrest anyone who came near the site.” — Jerusalem Post, September 18, 2008.

“Defense forces were evacuating two unauthorized outposts in the West Bank on Wednesday.” — Jerusalem Post, January 16, 2008.

“Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon had said that the government might dismantle about two dozen unauthorized outposts as early as next week. Samaria and Judea District police said Wednesday that while one small outpost near Hebron had been evacuated earlier in the day, no more outposts would be evacuated before police and IDF held a situation assessment and deemed the time appropriate to do so.” — Jerusalem Post, January 10, 2008.

“Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the cabinet that he would remove all unauthorized outposts in the West Bank.” — Jerusalem Post, November 19, 2007.

“Israeli police razed a West Bank settler outpost. Police and troops on Thursday forcibly removed the four structures at Har Hivi, an outpost erected near the settlement of Kedumim.” – JTA, November 15, 2007.

“Eight right-wing activists were arrested Monday on suspicion of attacking police officers and damaging property as Border Police forces evacuated some 60 activists from the Shevut Ami outpost next to Kedumim.” – Jerusalem Post, October 15, 2007.

“Police and IDF troops forcibly evicted hundreds of settlers and right-wing activists from the former settlement of Homesh.” – Jerusalem Post, July 23, 2007.

“Israel´s defense minister ordered the evacuation of 12 settler outposts.” – JTA, May 18, 2006.

“The Defense Ministry will complete in the coming months a detailed plan for the removal of illegal outposts in the West Bank....to speed up the process, the state will streamline the bureaucratic procedures for issuing demolition orders.” – Jerusalem Post, May 8, 2006.

“Security forces and right-wing protesters clashed violently on Wednesday as the evacuation of the Amona outpost in the West Bank was completed. Soldiers and policemen razed all nine of the structures after spending over three hours emptying them of protestors.” – Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2006.

“Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz issued three more demolition orders for illegal outposts Thursday night: the Scali Farm near Eilon Moreh; the Arusi Farm near Har Bracha; and another site near Yitzhar.” – Jerusalem Post, January 14, 2006.

“After a day of violent clashes between security forces and settlers, the illegal structures located