UN condemns Tel Aviv bombings

March 1, 2005 
Reuters
Original Source: http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-03-01T075733Z_01_HOL128433_RTRUKOC_0_MIDEAST-BOMBING-UN.xml

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council has condemned the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv last week and urged Israelis and the Palestinians to negotiate toward peace.

On the eve of a Middle East meeting in London, the council, in a statement on Monday, said such attacks undermined the hopes and aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people as they seek a just, durable and peaceful solution.

Five Israelis were killed and more than 50 were wounded in the blast last Friday that shattered a truce Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared on February 8.

In light of recent positive steps taken by both sides and on the eve of important meetings in London, the council calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, said the statement read by Benin's ambassador.

Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group, said it was responsible for the attack. The original statement, initiated by the United States, mentioned Islamic Jihad's claim but Algeria, the council's only Arab member, insisted it be removed, diplomats said.

Public Security Council policy statements must have the consent of all 15 members.
The statement urged the Palestinian leadership to take immediate, credible steps to find those responsible for this terrorist attack and bring them to justice. It encouraged further and sustained action to prevent other acts of terrorism.

The London meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair, is aimed at helping the Palestinians improve their financial, government and security structures. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and representatives from more than a dozen countries are participating. Israel is not attending.