Foreign Powers Condemn Bus Bombing in Tel Aviv
The United States condemned a bus bombing that injured 17 people in Tel Aviv on Wednesday and undermined attempts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza, branding it a "terrorist attack."
"These attacks against innocent Israeli civilians are outrageous," the White House said, reaffirming Washington's "unshakeable commitment to Israel's security and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.
"The United States will stand with our Israeli allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack," it said, in a statement.
Police said the blast erupted as the bus passed behind the Kiriya, Israel's sprawling Defense Ministry in the center of Tel Aviv.
Television images showed the bus with its windows blown out and its metal frame contorted from the force of the blast, in images reminiscent of scenes from the second Palestinian intifada between 2000 and 2005.
The attack came as Hamas-controled Gaza was rocked by new Israeli air strikes and as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon shuttled between Jerusalem and Ramallah trying to secure a ceasefire.
Just before the blast and after talks with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, Ban had appealed for an immediate halt to militant rocket attacks on Israel.
France also condemned the bomb attack and called for an urgent and lasting ceasefire to end Gaza-linked violence.
"We are issuing a call, France and Italy, so that... all efforts... are made to reach a ceasefire, which is essential," President Francois Hollande said at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano.
Hollande denounced the attack on civilians and said a ceasefire was needed "to avoid an escalation".
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius also condemned the bombing.
"I condemn in the strongest terms the attack that has just taken place in Tel Aviv, targeting civilians at a time when everything must be done to obtain a ceasefire," Fabius said in a statement.
"It is urgent to establish a lasting ceasefire. I will speak again today with my Israeli, Egyptian and American counterparts."
Russia later condemned the bus attack, labeling it "criminal terrorist act" and renewing calls to halt violence in Gaza.
"Moscow strongly condemns this criminal terrorist act," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Noting the continuing violence in the Gaza Strip, it added: "We are renewing our call on the sides to immediately put an end to the military confrontation."
Source: Agence France Presse
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