|
|
May 10, 2002/Iyar 28, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 34
Bombing dims hope for diplomatic end
NAOMI SEGAL
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
JERUSALEM - For a few brief days, it appeared there might be room for a diplomatic opening to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Now, however, diplomacy may again take a back seat to terrorism and counter-terror operations.
In the first major Palestinian terror attack since Israel ended Operation Protective Wall in the West Bank, a bomber killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 60 when he blew up a pool hall in the Tel Aviv suburb of Rishon le-Zion on the night of May 7.
"I was standing at a traffic light, and I saw the building fly up in front of my eyes," said Hanit Azulai. "There was a tremendous blast that I can't describe."
Another witness, Roni Hakak, said he was outside the pool hall with friends when the attack occurred.
"People flew out of the windows. It was a huge blast," Hakak said.
Israeli officials were deliberating May 8 about how to retaliate.
Possible responses include a new military offensive or even the expulsion of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.
According to the Israeli daily Ha'aretz, however, Sharon will not propose that Arafat be expelled. Rather, the paper reported, sources in Sharon's entourage said President Bush agreed to press for reforms in the Palestinian Authority that essentially would strip Arafat of his powers.
There also is speculation that a new military operation could target the Gaza Strip, the command center of Hamas, which claimed responsibility for the bombing.
The Rishon le-Zion attack took place as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was about to enter a meeting with Bush at the White House. The two leaders were informed of the attack during the meeting.
Sharon, who cut short his U.S. visit, said before flying home that the bombing was "proof of the true intentions of the person leading the Palestinian Authority," a reference to Arafat.
As it has numerous times, the White House on May 8 said Arafat must decide if he is for peace or terror.
In a worrying postscript to the Rishon le-Zion attack, a Palestinian terrorist was seriously wounded the night of May 8 in what appeared to be a suicide bombing gone awry in northern Israel.
The bomb went off, perhaps prematurely, as the terrorist approached a group of soldiers waiting at a bus station near the Megiddo Junction.
|
