Israel's UN envoy: PA, Iran, Syria statements declaration of war
Israel's UN envoy: PA, Iran, Syria statements declaration of war
By Haaretz Service and Agencies
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations called actions by Iran, Syria and Palestinian leaders "declarations of war," after an Islamic Jihad bomber blew himself up outside a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing nine and wounding dozens more.
Two diplomats on Monday opened a UN Security Council debate that included some 35 speakers. The session had been scheduled before Monday's suicide bombing, after the United States last week refused to agree to a compromise statement on recent Israeli military strikes in Gaza, saying the draft was "disproportionately critical of Israel."
Nevertheless, the Palestinian UN observer, Riyad Mansour, echoed the condemnation made by Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority chairman. The Hamas-led Palestinian government has not made similar comments.
"We restate our condemnation of the loss of innocent lives, Palestinian and Israelis, and we call upon the occupying power to do the same," Mansour told the council.
Ambassador Dan Gillerman said every day fundamentalist leaders were inciting acts of terrorism.
"A dark cloud is looming above our region, and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements and actions by leaders of Iran, Syria, and the newly elected government of the Palestinian Authority," Gillerman said.
"These recent statements are clear declarations of war, and I urge each and every one of you to listen carefully and take them at face value."
He said Iran and Syria harbored and financed Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, citing comments from Hamas leaders based in Syria, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map.
But Iran's UN ambassador, Javad Zarif, told the council Gillerman had made "irresponsible claims." He said that daily threats by Israel required "urgent and serious attention by the council" which at minimum should demand that Israel desist from resorting to force.
Iran, itself under the gun for its nuclear program, said Israel already had atomic weapons despite its "unprecedented record of state terrorism."
Arab and African delegates backed Mansour's condemnation of what he called Israel's "excess and indiscriminate force against Palestinian civilians," particularly those in Gaza that he said killed 15 to 21 civilians, among them two children.
U.S.: Hamas response to attack shows group's 'true nature'
The U.S. on Monday called on countries seeking to promote Middle East peace to note the praise offered by the Hamas-led Palestinian government for the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
Nine people were killed and dozens were wounded when a young terrorist from Islamic Jihad blew himself up outside a falafel restaurant in the Neve Sha'anan area of the city.
Hamas declined to condemn the bombing, calling the attack "self-defense." Hamas cabinet minister Wasfi Kabha said the attack was "in the framework of the legitimate right for resistance."
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that the comments reveal "the true nature" of the Palestinian government.
U.S. Secretary of State Condeleezza Rice called Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to condemn the attack, according to Foreign Ministry officials in Jerusalem.
In a statement issued by his office, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said the bombing ran counter to Palestinian interests and urged the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers to intervene "to stop the grave deterioration that the region is witnessing now."
Hamas official spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called the attack "a natural result of the continued Israeli crimes against our people."
"The Israeli occupation bears responsibility for the continuation of its aggression. Our people are in a state of self-defence and they have every right to use all means to defend themselves," he added.
"We think that this operation... is a direct result of the policy of the occupation and the brutal agression and siege committed against our people," said Khaled Abu Helal, spokesman for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry.
Earlier, Moussa abu Marzouk, a Hamas leader abroad, told Al-Jazeera television that "the Israeli side must feel what the Palestinian feels, and the Palestinian defends himself as much as he can."
Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Abbas, echoed the PA chairman's call for an end to violence.
"I condemn this attack on behalf of President Abu Mazen [Abbas], and I urge all Palestinian factions to observe a cessation of violence. Such attacks harm Palestinian interests," he said.
The White House also condemned the bombing, saying that there was no justification for such an attack.
"It is a despicable act of terror for which there is no excuse or justification," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
"We express our condolences to those who were injured and to the families of those who were killed and to the government and people of Israel."
But the U.S. also warned that supporting terror or failing to condone it could have a far-reaching impact on Middle East diplomacy.
"Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian cabinet will have the gravest effects on relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East," McClellan told reporters in Washington.
McCormack said diplomats who choose to have contact with Hamas should urge the group to abide by the formula outlined by the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers three months ago: renounce violence, recognize Israel and abide by the Palestinian Authority's previous international commitments.
"Given the opportunity, the first opportunity to denounce an act of terror, to condemn an act of terror, Hamas has decided to condone it," McCormack said.
EU condemns attack, calls for restraint
The member states of the European Union also condemned the bombing, but urged both sides to show restraint.
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, condemned the attack and called "on all parties to prevent any new descent into a senseless spiral of violence."
"I deplore this senseless and totally unjustified terrorist attack," said a statement by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
"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."
Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac pledged France's support to Israel in a letter of condolences to his Israeli counterpart Monday.
The attack "sparks horror and reprobation," Chirac wrote to President Moshe Katsav, his office said.
"More than ever, our determination to fight terrorism is intact," Chirac wrote. "France is at Israel's side for this new trial."
Germany condemned the bombing and urged the new Palestinian government to disarm terrorist groups.
"It would be a fatal start for the new government if it did not clearly and energetically act against acts of terror," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Russia also condemned the attack, calling on the Palestinian Authority to act against the terrorists and for Israel to act with restraint.
"We resolutely and unconditionally condemn this bloody attack by extremists who again are raising their hands against innocent people. There can be no justification for this," said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin.
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