Leaders condemn latest violence in Middle East
The United Nations Secretary General has criticised yesterday’s terrorist attack in Jerusalem and the retaliatory helicopter gunship attack in Gaza.
Israel was previously criticised for endangering the peace process when it launched an aerial assault on a high profile Hamas leader earlier this week, with many international leaders claiming that it increased the chance of a new escalation.
Yesterday those fears appeared to have been well founded when a bus exploded in Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, injuring as many as 50 people, killing more than a dozen, and triggering another helicopter gunship attack in Gaza.
Kofi Annan called the terror attack reprehensible and stated that the attacks would fuel hatred and mistrust, before lauding the roadmap as the best chance for security in the region.
Mr Annan’s criticism was matched by comments from President Bush in the USA and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
Mr Straw commented: ‘I utterly condemn today’s appalling suicide attack on a bus in Jerusalem’ before also raising concerns about further loss of life due to Israel’s response.
President Bush had previously condemned Israel’s attack on Hamas member ‘Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi’ because of concerns that it would make implementation of the peace process harder, and he turned similar views towards the Palestinian leadership, who he urged to isolate those that would harm the peace process.
