Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday accused Israel of using "state terrorism" to crush what he called legitimate Palestinian resistance to occupation.
Israel "has prevented aid agencies and media from entering towns, villages and refugee camps in order to conceal the brutal crimes the Israeli army committed," Mubarak aired in a televised speech. It "uses arguments equating legitimate Palestinian resistance with occupation and terrorism... to avoid its ugly Israeli practices being depicted as state terrorism," he added.
Israel has threatened to block a United Nations mission to probe its devastating assault on the Jenin refugee camp.
These operations "will only deepen the feelings of hatred, resentment, and the desire for revenge among not only the Palestinian people, but some 300 million Arabs," Mubarak said.
Mubarak also declared Egypt would continue a policy of moderation and practice restraint. "Our duty now is remain alert, act with wisdom and reason, and make sure we plan our steps without emotional overreaction," he said.
The speech marked the 20th anniversary of the full return of the Sinai peninsula to Egypt after its 1979 peace treaty with Israel. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
