Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing Kills at Least 4
50 minutes ago Middle East - AP
By GAVIN RABINOWITZ, Associated Press Writer
TEL AVIV, Israel - A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of young Israelis waiting outside a nightclub near Tel Aviv's beachfront promenade, killing at least four other people, wounding dozens and shattering an informal Mideast truce.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Mideast Conflict
Palestinian Cabinet Sworn In
(AP Video)
The blast, just before midnight Friday, ended several weeks of calm and presented the first serious test to the unofficial cease-fire declared by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Feb. 8 at a dramatic summit in Egypt.
Israeli officials indicated the attack would not derail the tentative peace efforts. But the bombing put new pressure on Abbas to take action against militants, who have not formally accepted the truce.
The Palestinians must "do much more to prevent such attacks," said Gideon Ezra, the Israeli public security minister. Despite the violence, he said contacts with the Palestinians should continue.
There was no official claim of responsibility. But Palestinian officials and militant leaders said the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah had orchestrated the attack.
Abbas pledged to track down those responsible, accusing them of trying to derail the peace process.
"The Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) will not stand silent in the face of this act of sabotage," Abbas said in a statement after holding an emergency meeting early Saturday with his security chiefs. "We will follow and track down those responsible and they will be punished accordingly."
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was to convene a meeting of security chiefs later Saturday to discuss an Israeli response, Israeli Army Radio reported.
In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and said it is essential that Palestinian leaders take "immediate, credible steps" to find those responsible.
Rice took note of the Palestinian condemnation of the attack. "We now must see actions that send a clear message that terror will not be tolerated," she said.
Hezbollah has emerged as the biggest threat to the fragile Israeli-Palestinian truce, offering West Bank gunmen thousands of dollars to attack Israelis. The group, which is backed by Iran (news - web sites) and Syria, has hundreds of West Bank gunmen on its payroll, according to Palestinian security officials.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the largest Palestinian militant groups, all denied involvement, saying they were respecting the recent calm.
"If it turns out that indeed an individual from the brigades carried out this attack, everyone must know that they acted alone, and that the Aqsa Brigades does not identify with him and does not recognize him as a member," said Abu Mahmoud, the group's official spokesman.
However, a senior Al Aqsa commander said one of its members had been recruited by Hezbollah to carry out the attack. The commander spoke on condition of anonymity.
A senior Palestinian security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the bomber was hired by Hezbollah. Palestinian officials said they had been tracking communications between Hezbollah and Al Aqsa militants in the northern West Bank in recent days.
Al Aqsa, which is loosely linked to Abbas' Fatah (news - web sites) party, has largely honored Abbas' efforts to maintain the cease-fire. But rogue elements of the militant group are widely believed by Israeli and Palestinian officials of receiving orders and funding from Hezbollah.
In Beirut, a Hezbollah official declined involvement. "As far as we are concerned, there is no need to respond to such lies," the official said.
The bombing occurred at the Stage, a nightclub located near Tel Aviv's seaside promenade, as about 20 to 30 people were waiting to enter the club. The area was especially busy on a mild weekend night.
"Suddenly there was this huge explosion and we just ran," said Merav Ayush, a 20-year-old club goer. "I saw a boy and a girl sitting on the ground. At the entrance to the club there were about 15 people just lying on the floor," she said.
Tel Aviv police chief David Tzur said security guards outside the club spotted the bomber and didn't allow him in. "The impact, if he would have gone inside, would have been tragic," he said.
He said four people were killed and dozens wounded. At least one of the dead was female. Israeli police said about 50 people were wounded, more than 10 of them seriously.
Israeli police spokesman Gil Kleiman said the blast was exceptionally powerful.
The explosion ripped off the front of the nightclub, shattering windows of nearby restaurants and blackening cars. Dozens of ambulances and rescue workers pored through the scene, and police scoured the balconies of nearby buildings for evidence. Several covered bodies and a pool of blood lay on the ground.
A neighborhood shopkeeper, who identified himself only as Shlomo, said the blast was so powerful that it knocked a row of bottles off a shelf onto his head. "Immediately we knew it was an attack. It's a terrible feeling. We saw the people scattered all over," he said.
The Tel Aviv promenade has been hit before by Palestinian militants, including explosions in 2001 outside the Dolphinarium disco and Mike's Place, a popular pub.
Since this month's Mideast summit, the two sides have stepped up security cooperation, and Israel has pledged to hand over security responsibilities in most of the West Bank to Palestinian forces.
The two largest and most powerful Palestinian militant organizations, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have so far refused to join a cease-fire officially but have pledged to maintain the fragile calm.
The radical Palestinian factions are expected to hold talks with Egyptian officials next week on the cease-fire with Israel, a senior Hamas official said on condition of anonymity.
While Israel has welcomed Abbas' efforts, it wants the Palestinian leader to begin to take steps to dismantle the militant groups — a step he is reluctant to take.
It was the first suicide bombing since the cease-fire declaration, as well as the first such attack since the death of longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) on Nov. 11. The last suicide bombing killed three people in a Tel Aviv market on Nov. 1.
And the cycle goes on and on and on...
Another poignant reminder to the illegals pouring in since the beginning of the last century to avoid racism, to pack up and head back out to Eastern europe where they are really from, and are so deeply loved by the locals!
Out of the fryin pan and into the fire for our beloved heenbs..
Come back in 4 days Lull
Israel Blames Syria for Suicide Bombing
55 minutes ago Middle East - AP
By JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM - Israel's defense minister on Saturday blamed Syria and a Palestinian militant group based there for a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis outside a Tel Aviv nightclub and shattered an informal truce, prompting him to freeze plans to hand over security responsibilities in the West Bank. Syria denied the charges.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Mideast Conflict
The suicide bombing, which broke two weeks of relative calm, has threatened to derail an informal cease-fire declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. It also could spark new tensions between longtime foes Israel and Syria.
Abbas angrily accused a "third party" of orchestrating Friday's attack to sabotage the Mideast peace process, and his security officials said the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran (news - web sites), was involved.
In Beirut, Hezbollah, denied the accusations, and Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group with members in Lebanon and Syria, claimed responsibility, reversing initial denials by its members in the Palestinian territories.
The conflicting accounts created a rare sense of mystery around the attack, which also wounded dozens.
In the past, militant groups have been quick to praise their members for carrying out deadly bombings. But Islamic Jihad waited nearly 24 hours to claim the attack outside a crowded nightclub. The delay raised speculation among Palestinian officials that Islamic Jihad was acting on behalf of Hezbollah.
If the bombing had been planned by militants in the Palestinian territory, Abbas would be under tremendous pressure to crack down. But since it looked as if the bombing was linked to Islamic Jihad in Syria, and perhaps inspired by Hezbollah, Israel was likely to give him more leeway.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz blamed Syria after meeting with senior security commanders late Saturday in Tel Aviv. "The defense minister ruled that Israel sees Syria and the Islamic Jihad movement are those standing behind the murderous attack in Tel Aviv," a statement from Mofaz's office said.
The Bush administration strongly condemned the bombing and welcomed the Palestinian leadership's response.
"Such brutal attacks that kill and wound innocent Israelis cannot be tolerated by the Israeli people. Nor should they be tolerated by the Palestinian people, for such attacks undermine their hopes for a better future," the White House said in a statement.
U.S. officials have been in touch with the Palestinians "to urge immediate and credible action" to determine who is behind this terrorist act and to bring them to justice," according to the statement.
Israel and the United States have demanded that Syria close the headquarters of Palestinian militant groups in Damascus and end its support for other militant organizations.
Syria also faces pressure to withdraw troops from Lebanon amid accusations it was behind a massive bombing on Feb. 14 that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 16 other people. Syria has denied involvement in the slayings.
Israeli security officials said the country had no immediate plans to attack Syria but will launch a diplomatic effort in hopes of winning U.N. condemnation of Damascus. In 2003, Israeli warplanes bombed an Islamic Jihad base in Syria in retaliation for a suicide bombing that killed 19 people at a restaurant.
Syria quickly rejected the charges. Damascus "had nothing to do with the Tel Aviv operation and that this (Islamic Jihad) movement's office is closed in Syria," a foreign ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
Israeli security officials said they might resume assassinating Islamic Jihad leaders in the Palestinian territories because the informal truce no longer applied to them.
Such a move, which Israel recently agreed to halt as part of a reinvigorated peace process after the death of Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) and the election of Abbas, would likely mean the end of the carefully crafted Feb. 8 cease-fire.
In a further strain, Mofaz froze plans to withdraw troops from five West Bank towns and hand over security responsibilities to the Palestinians. The handover was among the most significant gestures by Israel after the cease-fire.
In the West Bank, Abbas met earlier Saturday with security officials and Cabinet ministers to discuss a response to the attack. He also reiterated his support for the truce and said he was exchanging information with Israel, the United States and Europe.
"We believe there is a third party that wants to sabotage this process, and to harm our people and our national goals," Abbas said. "We will not hesitate to track them down and bring them to justice and punish them."
Abbas didn't elaborate on the third party, but Palestinian officials said he was referring to Hezbollah. Security officials have said the guerrilla group is the biggest threat to the cease-fire.
Abbas said the major Palestinian militant groups — Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades — had all condemned the attack. But late Saturday, Islamic Jihad, which is based in Syria, posted an announcement on its Web site claiming responsibility.
The claim was attributed to the Al-Quds Brigades, the group's military arm. It identified the attacker as Abdullah Saeed Badran, 21, from near the West Bank town of Tulkarem.
The statement said the group carried out the attack after the expiration of a monthlong pause in a period of "calm" that it had promised to the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites). The Arab TV station Al-Jazeera also aired a videotape Saturday showing a man claiming to be Badran vowing to carry out the attack.
"Let the Zionists know that they will not have security. Their houses and their cities' streets will not be safe because this country is not your country. Get out of it," the man said.
Badran, a university student, was a devout Muslim but had no history of militant activity, his parents said.
In a phone call from Lebanon, an official from the Syria-based leadership of the Islamic Jihad militant group also claimed responsibility for the bombing.
A senior Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disputed the claim, saying Hezbollah was responsible for arming the bomber and giving the orders for the attack. He also accused Hezbollah of persuading Islamic Jihad to accept responsibility to deflect attention.
Palestinian police have arrested two suspects with ties to Islamic Jihad. Israeli forces also arrested two of the bomber's brothers and four neighbors in his home village, including the local mosque preacher. The alleged driver who transported the bomber was also arrested.
In contrast to the dozens of previous suicide bombings, no celebrations were held in the West Bank on Saturday and militant groups didn't hang the customary posters of congratulations at the bomber's home. Many residents expressed anger.
"If Hezbollah was behind this attack, I as a Palestinian tell them, 'Deal with your own problems and stay out of ours,'" said Akram Abu Sbaa, 38, a resident of the West Bank town of Jenin.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tpm...l_palestinians
Stakes are up.......
Thank you. I have about had all I want of his racist maundering.Originally Posted by ZFBoxcar
As to the bombing...if Assad gets tied into this - and Israel is trying to make that case RIGHT NOW - he better bunker up a bit deeper. He's in deep doodoo, as it is.
Last edited by Bluesman; 27 Feb 05, at 14:49.
"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it, and if one finds the prospect of a long war intolerable, it is natural to disbelieve in the possibility of victory."
- George Orwell
Whats interesting is that there appears to be a divide in Islamic Jihad. The Gaza Strip branch denies responsibility, probably because they want to live to take over the Gaza Strip when the Israelis leave. But the Syria branch of Islamic Jihad, along with Hezbollah, says they did do it.
Hezbollah's Syrian and Iranian wings must be reined in. Syria is not doing itself any good by allowing Islamic jihad to operate at will in their country.
I sometimes wonder if Abbas resists the urge to launch a public attack on Syria for not doing enough to rein in the militants.
Looks as though Israel has not over-reacted to this. I read the deputy defence minister pointing the finger of blame on the PA, but the Israeli response has been one of restraint.That is encouraging.
"There is no excellence in all this world that can be separated from right living." - David Star Jordan My Blog
Hey man as recomended by a senior member here, if you or my old buddy Confed are willing to pay for a "racial and minority" sensitivity training course, I would gladly register for it!Just thought I'd mention it.
Last edited by lulldapull; 02 Mar 05, at 16:39.
He's back.
Just friggin' terrific.
"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it, and if one finds the prospect of a long war intolerable, it is natural to disbelieve in the possibility of victory."
- George Orwell
Damnit bluesboy, I know you missed me!
**** you, you flaccid, tiny little prick.
"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it, and if one finds the prospect of a long war intolerable, it is natural to disbelieve in the possibility of victory."
- George Orwell
BwaaaaaaaaaHHHHAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHaaaa aaaaaaaaa
Guys find Bluesboy's medicine! It seems like he's missed his evening dose!
Human itching powder.
Found out who your daddy is yet?
Think he'll be proud of his son when you do?
"The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it, and if one finds the prospect of a long war intolerable, it is natural to disbelieve in the possibility of victory."
- George Orwell
Bluesboy, life is tough! I suggest bunking up with an Eye-raaqi boy-toy for the night
I agree, a schism between those who live within Gaza & the West Bank and the Syrian IJ can only be good. By rejecting them, the Palestinians are voting for peace.
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