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Arab nations officially condemn Jerusalem bombing
But many blame Israel for provoking attack
July 31, 1997
Web posted at: 2:18 p.m. EDT (1818 GMT)From Cairo Bureau Chief Gayle Young
CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- Israel's Arab neighbors were quick to officially condemn Wednesday's deadly bombing of a Jerusalem market by militant Islamists. But individual opinions on the bombing varied.
Many Egyptians said they were upset by news of the bombing. "I was saddened when I heard about it, just as anyone is sad to see another dead or wounded," said one man.
Other Egyptians, though, harbor a deep hatred for the Israeli government.
"We are very happy at what happened in Israel," said another man. "Their evil must be abolished."
The blasts, which killed 15 people -- including two Palestinian suicide bombers -- and injured at least 170, ripped through the packed Mahane Yehuda market, the city's main fruit and vegetable market, as lunchtime shoppers flocked to stalls.
The devastating attack followed news that the United States had started efforts to revive peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis. The talks have been on hold for four months.
Arab leaders blame Israel for the deadlock. They remain openly frustrated by what they perceive as Israel's reluctance to negotiate.
Jordan's King Hussein said the latest bombings are a reaction to the slow implementation of agreements Israel made with the Palestinians.
And Lebanon, which has not made peace with Israel, openly blames Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the violent attack.
"We don't like to see violence. We don't like to see children and women and civilians killed. But I believe Israel, the way she is acting, she is pushing the people to do something out of their mind," said Rafiq Hariri, Lebanon's prime minister.
Egyptian leaders say they hope the bombing does not give hard-liners on both sides an excuse to kill off the peace process.
"The important thing now, after expressing our condolences and our sorrow for what happened, is to work to save the peace process and to underline the importance of its continuity," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa.
But for now the peace talks are once again on hold, as Israel pressures the Palestinian Authority to find the terrorists responsible and bring them to justice.
Israel imposed a closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring tens of thousands of Palestinians from jobs in Israel.
And Israel is warning that it may take military action against Palestinian territories, including possibly sending security forces into Palestinian-ruled areas, to ensure its security.
Israel warned Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to rein in Palestinian militants if he wanted to keep Israeli soldiers out of the Palestinian autonomy zones.
In the Arab world, there is fear that the cycle of violence and retribution may spiral out of control.
- Message Board: Jerusalem blasts
- Newsmaker Profile: Benjamin Netanyahu - Israeli Prime Minister
- Newsmaker Profile: Yasser Arafat - Palestinian Leader
Related stories:
- Death toll in Jerusalem bombings climbs to 15 - July 30, 1997
- 14 killed in Jerusalem suicide bombings - July 30, 1997
- World leaders condemn Jerusalem bomb attacks - July 30, 1997
- 13 killed in Jerusalem market blasts - July 30, 1997
- Middle East peace talks to resume within week - July 28, 1997
- Palestinians throw firebombs as Hebron tension worsens - June 20, 1997
Related sites:
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- Jerusalem Terrorist bombing Attack - The Israel Internet Terrorism Hot Line
- The Jerusalem Post Daily Internet Edition - Israel's English-language newspaper
- Virtual Jerusalem: News - daily news from Israeli newspapers, radio and other independent news sources.
- Palestine Times - a monthly political English newspaper that contains the Palestine news, world news, interviews and analysis
- Palestinian National Authority Official Website - news and information about Palestine's history, culture, economy, tourism, religion, and the Middle East peace process
- The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Islamic Association for Palestine - a non-profit organization dedicated to working towards a fair, just and comprehensive solution to the problem of Palestine
- IRIS: Information Regarding Israel's Security - a repository for information, maps and pictures that explain and demonstrate Israel's legitimate security needs
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