UN Security Council condemns Tel Aviv bombing, fails to mention Islamic Jihad 

March 1, 2005
Ha'aretz
Original Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/546543.html

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council condemned the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv last week but failed to mention Islamic Jihad, which claimed responsibility for the terror attack, in its policy statement.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that Syria was not behind the bombing, contrary to Israeli claims.

The Security 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 Abbas and 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.

Islamic Jihad 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.

Abbas says no sign Syria behind bombing
Abbas said on Tuesday he had no evidence Syria was behind the Tel Aviv suicide bombing.

We have no indication and no information pointing towards the Syrians and we cannot have a judgement based on no evidence, Abbas told BBC radio in London.

Israel has pointed the finger for Friday's attack on a Tel Aviv nightclub at Damascus. 

It says Syrian-based leaders of the Islamic Jihad ordered the bombing and, since it hosts their leaders, the Syrian government shares responsibility. Syria has denied any involvement in the bombing.

Abbas, in London for a one-day conference on Palestinian reform, said he trusted Syria's condemnation of the attack.

(Syrian) Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara has declared that he is in total support of the Palestinian National Authority and that he condemns this operation and it is our duty to believe him in that, he added in comments broadcast in translation.

Jihad claims responsibility for Tel Aviv attack
Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad leaders in Damascus, who initially denied involvement in the Tel Aviv attack, reversed themselves Monday and accepted responsibility. Islamic Jihad official Mohammed Hindi told Associated Press Television News that the attack was the work of a small cell acting on its own. The Islamic Jihad's policy has not changed. We are still committed to the period of calm, which we agreed to with Abu Mazen, he said. Abu Mazen is the name used by Abbas.

But Israel was insisting the attack was the work of the Islamic Jihad leadership, not simply a rogue cell.

Defense sources said that Islamic Jihad in Damascus was encouraging its people in the territories to conduct terror attacks, even though formally, Islamic Jihad has reportedly accepted the lull in violence worked out with the Palestinian Authority.

According to Foreign Ministry director general Ron Prosor, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah are working to break up the cease-fire.