Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon implicated Syria in the Feb. 25 suicide bombing of a Tel Aviv nightclub that left four dead, after the group Islamic Jihad, which maintains a Damascus office, claimed responsibility. "The terrorist attack was perpetrated by members of Islamic Jihad. Thre orders came from Islamic Jihad elements in Syria," he said. But he was sure to add: "Even though we know this for a certainty, the fact is not enough to absolve the Palestinian Authority of its responsibility." (UK Guardian [2], Feb. 28)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, for his part, said of the attack: "Such actions will not be tolerated by us, as they are against Palestinian interests." Reuters cited a Palestinian security source as saying Hezbollah was behind the attack—a claim denied by Hezbollah. (Reuters [3], Feb. 28)
Gee, the new ceasefire is off to a great start, eh?
