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MFA     Terrorism     Terror since 2000     Suicide bombing at Tel Aviv shawarma restaurant 17-Apr-2006

Suicide bombing at "Rosh Ha'ir" shawarma restaurant in Tel Aviv

17 Apr 2006
Photos: Reuters


April 17, 2006 - Eleven people were killed and over 60 wounded in a suicide bombing at the Rosh Ha'ir shawarma stand, near the old central bus station in Tel Aviv. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shortly after 1:30 pm, a suicide bomber detonated himself at a crowded fast food stand in the Neveh Sha'anan neighborhood of Tel Aviv, near the old central bus station when a security guard at the site asked him to open his bag for inspection. The restaurant was crowded with people at lunchtime during the Passover holiday. The bomb, laced with nails and other projectiles, shattered car windshields and windows of nearby buildings.

The same restaurant was previously hit by a bombing attack on January 19, wounding 20 people.

The attack was carried out by a youth from Jenin, Sami Salim Mohammed Hammed. Three Palestinians suspected of having transported the bomber to the restaurant were arrested by security forces.

International condemnation

White House:

"We condemn the terrorist attack today in Tel Aviv in the strongest possible terms. It is a despicable act of terrorism, for which no excuse or justification is possible. We express our condolences to those who were injured, to the families of those who were killed, and to the people and Government of Israel.

The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks such as this one rests with the Palestinian Authority (PA). We have noted reactions by several Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, that defend or even applaud the barbaric act of terror committed in Tel Aviv today, as we have noted President Abbas's quick denunciation of it. Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian Cabinet will have the gravest effects on relations between the PA and all states seeking peace in the Middle East. A Palestinian government that encourages or tolerates terrorism against innocent men, women, and children not only increases the level of violence against Israelis, but can as well only do great harm to the interests of the Palestinian people and ensure its own further isolation. We reiterate that the United States will have no contact with such a government, and we call upon all states to demand that it abandon its support for terror."

US State Department:

"The United States condemns the heinous terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv today that killed at least seven civilians and wounded over thirty. Our condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the Israeli people.

The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks rests with the Palestinian Authority. We have noted reactions by several Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, that defend or even applaud these barbaric actions, as we have noted President Abbas’ swift denunciation of it.

Defense of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian cabinet undoubtedly will effect relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East. A Palestinian government that encourages or tolerates terrorism against innocent men, women, and children not only increases violence against the Israelis, but does great harm to the interests of the Palestinian people, ensuring their further isolation. We reiterate that the United States will have no contact with a Hamas-led government, and we call upon all states to demand that it abandon its support for terror."

United Nations Secretary-General:

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns today’s suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.  He calls on the Palestinian Authority to take a clear public stand against such unjustifiable acts of terrorism, noting that President Abbas has done so and regretting that the new Government has not.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that civilians continue to be killed by violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  He calls on all parties to abide by their obligations under international law, and to refrain from actions that further escalate the situation and put civilians at grave risk."

Austrian presidency of the European Union:

"The Austrian presidency of the European Union condemns today's suicide attack against innocent civilans. The EU has repeatedly condemned such criminal terrorist acts which undermine any chances for a peaceful settlement.

The presidency has taken note of the condemnation of the attack by the president of the Palestinian Authority, and strongly urges the Palestinian government to fully commit to all the principles requested by the international community, including the renunciation of violence, in order to permit progress towards a peaceful solution."

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy:

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack perpetrated today in Tel Aviv. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, to the Israeli people and to the Israeli authorities. I call on all parties to prevent any new descent into a senseless spiral of violence."

French President Jacques Chirac:

"The President expresses his profound indignation at the particularly bloody terrorist attacks perpetrated this evening in Tel Aviv. He conveys his deepest compassion to the victims of these heinous acts.

Such acts call for utter condemnation. Terrorism is unacceptable from a moral point of view. And those who resort to it only jeopardize still further the quest for peace."

German Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier:

"The Federal Government condemns in the strongest terms today's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

I urgently appeal to the new Palestinian Government to fulfil its international obligations to disarm terrorist groups and destroy the terrorist infrastructure. It would be a disastrous start for the new Government if it fails to take a clear and firm stand against terrorist acts.

The calculations of the terrorists must be proved wrong. All sides are called upon to exercise restraint both now and in the future.

Our thoughts and sympathy are with the families of those who perished. To those who were injured we wish a full and speedy recovery."

British Foreign Secretary Straw:

"I deplore this senseless and totally unjustified terrorist attack. I condemn those who are responsible and extend my sympathies to the families and friends of those who have been killed or wounded. It is particularly repugnant that this attack comes during the Jewish festival of Passover. I would urge restraint on all sides at this difficult time."

Russian Foreign Ministry:

Moscow extends sincere condolences to the relatives of those killed and sympathy for the injured. Resolutely and unconditionally we condemn this bloody attack of extremists who have again raised a hand against innocent people - an act for which there can be no justification. The plan of the organizers of this crime is obvious: to make extremely tense the already not simple situation in Palestinian-Israeli relations, speed the flywheel of violence and bury the hopes for achieving a long-term settlement which would lead to the creation of a Palestinian State living in good-neighborliness with the State of Israel.

At this critical moment we call upon all the PNA branches of power to do all they can to prevent anti-Israeli actions, primarily terrorist attacks, and we also urge the government of Israel to show, despite these grave circumstances, restraint and composure and prevent slipping into a precipice of large-scale confrontation. We are convinced that by joint efforts, through putting a reliable barrier on the way of all terrorist attacks, it is possible to break the circle of violence and arrive at a resumption of the negotiation process on the basis of the Roadmap. Russia will continue facilitating this energetically.




  

The victims:

  • Philip Balhasan, 45, of Ashdod
  • Rozalia Beseneyi, 48, and
  •  Piroşca Boda 50, of Romania
  • Marcel Cohen, 73, of Nice, France
  • Ariel Darhi, 31, of Bat Yam
  • Victor Erez, 60, of Givatayim
  • Binyamin Haputa, 47, of Lod
  • David Shaulov, 29, of Holon
  • Lily Yunes, 43, of Oranit
  • Lior Anidzar, 26, of Tel Aviv died of his wounds on May 13.
  • Daniel Wultz, 16, of Weston, Florida (USA) died on May 14.
  
Philip Balhasan
Rozalia Beseneyi
Piroşca Boda

Marcel Cohen

Ariel Darhi

Victor Erez

Binyamin Haputa
David Shaulov

Lily Yunes

Lior (Eliyahu) Anidzar
Daniel Cantor Wultz
     
     
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   Statement by FM Livni
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