Olmert: We'll know how to respond
Prime minister sends condolences to families of terror attack victims, says Israel will know when and how to respond to suicide bombing
The deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv Monday noon caught the Israeli political system off guard, just hours before the new Knesset was due to be sworn-in in Jerusalem.
Veteran politicians and newcomers to the parliament received reports of the suicide bombing at the Knesset that clouded the cheerful atmosphere ahead of the democratic fest.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert released a statement shortly after the attack: "We planned to open the first session of the Knesset in a different atmosphere. This is a very serious incident, and I wish to convey my condolences to the victims' families and a speedy recovery to all those who were wounded."
"This is of course something we knew might happen, as the terror organizations are constantly looking for opportunities to carry out attacks in Israel. The security forces foil such attempts daily, and we have many specific warnings of more plans for attacks. The security forces are deployed all across the country, but we are aware that it is impossible to prevent every such incident. Unfortunately, this has happened today, perhaps deliberately (due to the Pesach holiday), and we shall know when and how to respond," he stated.
"We will continue to act with all the means at our disposal in a bid to thwart any other attempt. We will not allow these killers to taint the Israeli people's democratic celebration. If we let these murderers get in the way of our festivities, we would be granting them another win," Olmert concluded.
'Knesset can withstand war on terror'
Responses from the Left and Right were unanimous. MK Danny Yatom (Labor) said: "This is a murderous attack carried out against innocent civilians. The terror groups are making ongoing efforts to execute these strikes. The fact they have failed so far is the result of the security forces' hard work, and their success in thwarting many attacks."
"Unfortunately, this is not the last bombing. We must fight terror in full force, and at the same time seek dialogue channels with Mahmoud Abbas, and not with Hamas, a dialogue that would lead to cooperation in our struggle against terror," he added.
National Union MK Uri Ariel attributed the attack to the disengagement, claiming it was a direct result of the withdrawal from Gaza. "The attack is a reminder that escape will not bring peace, but would call for more attacks. I hope that the prime minister knows how to tackle the issue and that he will not run away from terror, because it would chase after him and after all of us."
Labor Chairman Amir Peretz said during the faction's meeting Monday that "this is a difficult time, but I'm certain that the Knesset will withstand the fight against terror, which is an enemy to all of us. We shall lend our full support to the security forces."
In wake of the bombing, would-be MK, Prof. Menachem Ben-Shoshan (Kadima) approached his party's members and asked that the faction demand of the Knesset's administration to revise the swearing-in ceremony set for later this evening, and see that manifestations of festivity are played down.
MK Shimon Peres responded to the demand by saying that there was no need to change the nature of the ceremony. "The Israeli democracy has never backed away in the face of terror or war. It should continue to operate as planned," he stated.
