United States Deplores Hamas' Defense of Tel Aviv Terror Attack
17 April 2006
White House, State Department condemn sandwich shop bombing
The United States condemned the deadly terrorist bombing of a sandwich shop in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 17. Statements from the White House and the State Department deplored the reaction by several Palestinian groups, including the ruling Hamas party, which defended the attack.
“Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian Cabinet will have the gravest effects on relations between the PA [Palestinian Authority] and all states seeking peace in the Middle East,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.
Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, took control of the Palestinian government following January legislative elections. According to news reports, a Hamas spokesman defended the Tel Aviv attack as a legitimate act of self-defense. Two other organizations – Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades – claimed responsibility for the attack.
The White House and State Department noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is a member of the opposition Fatah organization, denounced the attack.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters at the State Department daily briefing that Hamas’ response to the attack shows the nature of the organization.
“Given the opportunity, the first opportunity to denounce an act of terror … Hamas has decided to condone it,” he said. “[W]e are now seeing the true nature of this Hamas-led government. They would rather encourage 16-year-olds to go out, strap explosives to them and go out and try to kill other 16-year-olds, other innocent civilians. That's the kind of government that you're dealing with.”
He said Israel does not have a partner for peace in the Hamas-led government and that Hamas’ support for terrorism would do “great harm to the interests of the Palestinian people, ensuring their further isolation.”
McCormack once again called on Hamas to respect the demands of the Quartet for Middle East peace, which includes the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States. Shortly after Hamas’ election victory, the Quartet issued a statement calling on the group to renounce violence, respect Israel’s right to exist and accept all existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
In the absence of such measures, McCormack reaffirmed the United States’ refusal to have any contact with the Hamas-led government.
Following are the texts of the two statements:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
April 17, 2006
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
We condemn the terrorist attack today in Tel Aviv in the strongest possible terms. It is a despicable act of terrorism, for which no excuse or justification is possible. We express our condolences to those who were injured, to the families of those who were killed, and to the people and Government of Israel.
The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks such as this one rests with the Palestinian Authority (PA). We have noted reactions by several Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, that defend or even applaud the barbaric act of terror committed in Tel Aviv today, as we have noted President Abbas's quick denunciation of it. Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian Cabinet will have the gravest effects on relations between the PA and all states seeking peace in the Middle East. A Palestinian government that encourages or tolerates terrorism against innocent men, women, and children not only increases the level of violence against Israelis, but can as well only do great harm to the interests of the Palestinian people and ensure its own further isolation. We reiterate that the United States will have no contact with such a government, and we call upon all states to demand that it abandon its support for terror.
(end text)
(begin text)
U.S. Department of States
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 17, 2006
Terrorist Bombing in Tel Aviv
The United States condemns the heinous terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv today that killed at least seven civilians and wounded over thirty. Our condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the Israeli people.
The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks rests with the Palestinian Authority. We have noted reactions by several Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, that defend or even applaud these barbaric actions, as we have noted President Abbas' swift denunciation of it.
Defense of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian cabinet undoubtedly will effect relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East. A Palestinian government that encourages or tolerates terrorism against innocent men, women, and children not only increases violence against the Israelis, but does great harm to the interests of the Palestinian people, ensuring their further isolation. We reiterate that the United States will have no contact with a Hamas-led government, and we call upon all states to demand that it abandon its support for terror.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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