|
|
|
|
|
|
Israeli Officials Deciding On Response To Latest Bombing
Meredith Buel, Voice of America Israeli police say at least 17 people are dead and 70 injured after a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. Israeli police say a suicide bomber killed himself outside a nightclub in Tel Aviv. Witnesses say the bomber mingled with young people outside the club before detonating the explosion. The bombing occurred in a beachfront area lined with restaurants, bars and hotels. Ambulances raced to the scene and police evacuated the vicinity because of concern other explosive devices could be in the area. Many people were taken to the hospital and doctors say some are in critical condition. Cars parked in front of the nightclub were heavily damaged by the blast, with windows shattered and pieces of flesh and blood splattered on the sidewalk. Islamic militants have launched a number of suicide bombings against Israeli targets in recent weeks after eight months of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has called a meeting of top advisors to consider what action to take following the bombing. A spokesman for Mr. Sharon blamed Palestinian President Yasser Arafat for failing to halt the violence. The speaker of the Palestinian parliament, Ahmed Qreia, rejected charges that the Palestinian Authority is responsible for the bombing. Israel has been following what it calls a policy of restraint, with the military ordered to take only defensive actions to protect soldiers and civilians. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Gideon Meir said the bombing is an example of Palestinians targeting innocent civilians. "I would like to stress we have restraint for the past nine days and what we see here is an excessive use of force," he added. "We were always blamed for this and I think this is a tragedy which inflicts the Palestinian use of excessive force. We don't seek to inflict pain, but it is our duty and the duty of our government to protect our people. What we saw tonight in Tel Aviv is another example of the Palestinian strategy to use human life, children, who went on a weekend to a discotheque. " The Israeli government has been under increasing pressure to respond harshly to Palestinian attacks. Islamic militant groups have claimed responsibility for a series of bombings in recent months and have threatened to carry out more violence unless Israel withdraws from Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
|
|
