Israeli cabinet votes on response to bombing
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, August 10, 2001
JERUSALEM Ñ Israel's Cabinet has voted to move against the
Palestinian Authority in wake of a suicide bombing that killed 14 Israelis.
In an all-night meeting that ended on early Friday, the Cabinet voted to
close Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem. This included the closure of
the Orient House, regarded as the PLO headquarters in the city.
Israeli troops also were ordered to close Palestinian security agencies
in Jerusalem's Abu Dis suburb. They included the headquarters of Palestinian
intelligence services and the Palestinian governor's office in Jerusalem.
Israeli Justice Minister Meir Shetreet said the closure of PA offices in
the Jerusalem area marks a new tougher policy by the government of Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon. Shetreet did not rule out additional measures against
the PA.
"Until now, we have spoken to them [PA] in English," Shetreet said.
"Now, we are talking to them in Arabic."
The Cabinet meeting was described as stormy as some ministers pressed
for a harsher response against the PA. In the end, the Cabinet approved the
recommendations by Sharon by a 9-3 vote. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and
two of his Labor Party colleagues voted against the plan.
Earlier, a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up at a busy
Jerusalem intersection, killing 14 and injuring at least 130 people.
Six children were among the victims of Thursday's attack, which took
place outside a crowded pizza parlor. Ten others were reported to be in a
serious condition.
Israeli authorities released various casualty counts. At one point,
authorities said 19 people were killed. The suicide bomber was one of the 15
killed in the attack.
The Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. The Palestinian
group threatened to launch additional attacks in Israel.
The bomber was identified as a Palestinian from the Jenin area. Israeli
sources said they had obtained an alert that Hamas had targeted Jerusalem
for a suicide operation.
In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority has blamed Israeli Prime Minister
Sharon for the continuation of the violence. PA Information Minister Yasser
Abbed Rabbo said the Palestinian leadership warned of such attacks.
Israel did not order an immediate response to the suicide bombing.
Sharon is scheduled to meet Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer to decide
on a response.
In Washington, a White House spokesman condemned the Palestinian attack.
Egypt also issued a condemnation.
Israeli ministers are demanding that Sharon implement plans against the
PA agreed during a recent Cabinet meeting.
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