July 17, 2006 - New York - The American Jewish Committee welcomes the statement by the Group of 8 leaders regarding the ongoing hostilities in Lebanon. "Putting the blame squarely where it belongs, at Hezbollah's doorstep, the G8 leaders have made clear their opposition to the terrorist organization's tactics and aims," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris.

"The G8 leaders have shown sensitivity and understanding of Israel's position, threatened by Hezbollah's arsenal from the north and by Hamas and other Palestinian elements from the south," Harris said.

As the G8 leaders stated, "The immediate crisis results from efforts by extremist forces to destabilize the region and to frustrate the aspirations of the Palestinian, Israeli and Lebanese people for democracy and peace."

In their statement the G8 leaders called for the return of kidnapped Israeli soldiers held in Gaza and Lebanon, and an end to the shelling of Israeli territory. 

"Given that Israel completely withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000, as well as totally pulled back from Gaza last year - both steps to advance peace - the ongoing, deadly attacks from those two territories against Israelis is unconscionable," Harris said. "The actions of Hamas and Hezbollah again clarify that they, as well as the states that support them, do not desire peace, but seek the destruction of Israel and the imposition of jihadist rule throughout the region."

The G8 admirably has called on "all Palestinian parties [to] accept the existence of Israel, reject violence and accept all previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap." As the G8 leaders pointed out, Israel's disengagement from Gaza last year "provided an opportunity to move a further step toward a two-state solution under the Roadmap."

Now, the challenge ahead is for the international community, as well as key Arab nations, to bring diplomatic pressure to bear on Hezbollah and Hamas, and their supporters in Damascus and Tehran to end the wanton attacks on Israelis.