Bush denounces Tel Aviv bombing – White House press release/Non-UN document

Bush Denounces "Vicious Act of Terrorism" in Tel Aviv

White House urges action from Palestinian leadership

President Bush condemned the February 25 bombing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel – an action the White House called a “vicious act of terrorism.”

In a statement released by the White House press secretary February 26, the Bush administration says it has been in touch with the Palestinian leadership "to urge immediate and credible action by Palestinian security authorities, in cooperation with the government of Israel, to determine who is behind this terrorist act and to bring them to justice."

The suicide bombing outside a Tel Aviv nightclub killed four Israelis and wounded dozens in the first major attack since Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for an end to violence at a summit in Egypt February 8.  The Palestinian group Islamic Jihad has since claimed responsibility for the attack.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is scheduled to meet with Abbas and other leaders in London March 1 to discuss ways to support the Palestinian Authority.

Following is the statement released by the White House:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
February 26, 2005

Statement By The Press Secretary

The President condemns in the strongest possible terms the vicious act of terrorism in Tel Aviv, Israel last night.  The President extends his deepest condolences, and those of the American people, to the victims, their families, and the people of Israel.

Such brutal attacks that kill and wound innocent Israelis cannot be tolerated by the Israeli people.  Nor should they be tolerated by the Palestinian people, for such attacks undermine their hopes for a better future. The Palestinian Authority has rightly condemned this terrorist act.  We have been in touch with the Palestinian leadership to urge immediate and credible action by Palestinian security authorities, in cooperation with the Government of Israel, to determine who is behind this terrorist act and to bring them to justice.  The path to peace requires an end to terrorism and all parties must work together to that end.