The two Israeli leaders expressed their satisfaction with the vote saying it was an important step, but the Palestinian Authority had to fulfill additional commitments undertaken by them at Wye in order for Israel to implement the next stages of the Wye Memorandum. Thse included ending incitement by Palestinian leaders, the threat to proclaim independence and violence, as well as collecting weapons, reducing the Palestinian police force and arresting terrorists with blood on their hands. Text of the reactions follows:
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his satisfaction at the result of the PNC vote today, achieved as a result of the firm stance taken by the Government of Israel on the issue of the vote to revoke those clauses in the Palestinian Charter calling for the destruction of the State of Israel. The Prime Minister said that his government would continue to insist with the same firmness on the fulfillment of the other Palestinian commitments, so as to ensure the implementation of the agreement and the advancement of the peace process.
Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, said today, (Monday) 14.12.98, that he welcomed the process of the ratification of Yasser Arafat's letter to President Clinton in Gaza today.
The Defense Minister said that the clear support of those PNC members present and the representatives of the other senior Palestinian institutions in the ratification of Arafat's letter to Clinton, with the cancellation of those clauses in the Palestinian Charter calling for the destruction of Israel represents an important and crucial step in the carrying out of basic Palestinian commitments undertaken in agreements in Israel and particularly the Wye agreement.
The Defense Minister said that Israel expects the Palestinians to comply with all other commitments, in the area of security and other areas so that it will be possible to move forward to a better future.