PM SHARON STATEMENT

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Thursday, 04 August, 2005

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this evening (Thursday), 4.8.05, released the
following statement following the terrorist attack in Shfaram:

"This was a reprehensible act by a bloodthirsty Jewish terrorist who sought
to attack innocent Israeli citizens. This terrorist event was a deliberate
attempt to harm the fabric of relations among all Israeli citizens.
Terrorism by civilians against civilians is the most dangerous thing
affecting the future of the State of Israel and its stability as a
democracy. On my behalf and that of the Government, I send condolences to
the families of those who were murdered and my best wishes for a quick
recovery to those who were wounded. The entire State of Israel, regardless
of race, religion or sex, strongly condemns this act of terrorism. The
Government is determined to protect the lives of Israel's citizens, from all
ethnic communities and sectors; I have instructed the security services to
accord the highest priority to investigating this terrorist attack. At this
difficult hour for the State of Israel, I call on all public leaders in
Israel - Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze - to work together in an effort
to maintain the internal fabric of relations and to act responsibly and with
restraint, and to allow the legal authorities to finish their investigation
of this awful terrorist attack."