U.K.: Netanya bombing cowardly act
Monday's suicide attack in Netanya drew condemnations from European states, notably Britain, which currently holds rotating EU presidency
Monday's deadly suicide attack drew a series of condemnations from European countries, notably the United Kingdom, currently holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw describing the attack as a mindless act of terrorism.
Straw said: “The Presidency utterly condemns this mindless act of terrorism in the strongest terms, and offers our deep condolences to the families of the victims and sympathies to the injured.“This was a cowardly attack, yet again aimed at innocent civilians and at derailing the peace process. It is essential not to allow terrorists to succeed in sabotaging the recent peace efforts. I call on the PA to bring those responsible to justice, and to exert every effort to prevent such attacks in the future.”
'I urge PA to arrest those responsible'
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in response to the deadly bombing, “The German government staunchly condemns the Netanya attack; it is clear that this attack is part of an attempt to stifle the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.”
Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), said, “I condemn in the firmest manner the terrorist attack that took place this morning in Netanya and would like to convey my sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Israeli authorities.
“These actions are clearly destined to undermine the recent positive and concrete steps taken by the Israelis and Palestinians with a view to re-establishing confidence between the two parties and to disrupt the efforts of the European Union and the whole international community in this direction,” Solana said.
“I urge the Palestinian Authority to arrest and judge those responsible for this attack. I also urge the countries in the region to use their influence to cease all support to armed Palestinian opposition groups."
On Wednesday British Ambassador to Israel Simon McDonald, along with Ramiro Cibrian-Uzal, head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the State of Israel, and Austrian Chargé d'Affairs Norbert Hack, are expected lay a wreath at the scene of the Netanya suicide bombing on behalf of the European Union.
