Such terrorist attacks “undermine the hopes and aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people as they seek a just, durable and peaceful solution,” the 15-member body said in a statement to the press yesterday by its President for February, Ambassador Joel W. Adechi of Benin.

The statement noted that the Palestinian leadership had condemned the attack as an act of sabotage against peace, and welcomed their commitment to pursue and punish those responsible.

“Council members urge that the Palestinian leadership take immediate, credible steps to find those responsible for this terrorist attack and bring them to justice and encourage further and sustained action to prevent other acts of terrorism,” it added.

“Council members call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to continue on the path of direct dialogue and negotiation in order to implement the Road Map and to realize the vision of two States living side by side in peace and security,” it concluded.

The Road Map is the plan sponsored by the diplomatic Quartet – UN, European Union, Russia and United States – which calls for parallel and reciprocal steps leading to the two states solution, originally by the end of 2005.