Attack in Tel Aviv – UNESCO Director statement – Press release

UNESCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL CONDEMNS BOMBING

IN TEL AVIV SHOPPING MALL

     Paris, 4 March – UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor condemned the explosion today near a busy Tel Aviv shopping mall that killed at least 10 people and wounded scores of others.

     "These abominable terrorist attacks must not be allowed to interrupt the peace process," Mr Mayor said. "There is no justification, no excuse of any kind, for these barbarous acts.  We must not allow violence to prevail over peace. Now, more than ever,

we must uphold steadfastly the ideals that lead to reconciliation: dialogue, tolerance and democracy.  I am confident in the people's determination to overcome these terrible ordeals."

     Earlier today, the Director-General sent a letter to Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Israel encouraging him to "pursue the process of peace" in the Middle East and condemning the bombing Sunday of a bus in Jerusalem that killed 19 people as a "cruel and senseless act."

     "I trust in your unshakeable courage in the face of these cowardly and bloody attacks, confident that you will continue with vigour and tenacity, to pursue the process of peace to which you are so deeply devoted," Mr Mayor said in his letter to Mr Peres.

     "Profoundly shocked by yet another terrorist attack in Jerusalem, which I condemn in the strongest possible terms, I wish to express my deepest sympathy, on behalf of UNESCO and in my own name, to the families of the victims of this cruel and senseless act," the Director-General said.

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