Yasser Arafat blamed Israel's actions for the "current situation," saying that Israel's response to his recent efforts to calm the region has been anti-terrorist measures such as "closures, restrictions, murder [sic] of Palestinians [sic], and destruction of our homes." Officially, the Palestinian Authority condemned today's bombing, saying that such attacks "harm Palestinian interests."
The attack came just several hours after Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonisky told Israel Radio that the relative quiet in Israel over the past six weeks was not intentional on the Palestinians' part. Echoing sentiments uttered yesterday by GSS Chief Avi Dichter to the Cabinet, Aharonisky said that terror groups remain motivated to murder Jews.
Knesset Member Uri Ariel (National Union) spoke to Arutz-7's Yaakov Klein several minutes after the explosion. "Yesterday it was three dead, today it's five," he said. "We must take one giant step in destroying the terrorist infrastructure. These small baby steps that we are taking are causing the spilling of more Jewish blood… We must win this battle through strength."
Other reactions were also predictable: MK Chaim Ramon (Labor) said that a partition is needed between Israel and the Arab areas of Yesha, MK Benny Elon (National Union) called for a transfer of Arabs, and MK Michael Kleiner (Herut) said that if Prime Minister Sharon is not planning to bomb the PA cities from the air while leaving open escape routes towards Arab countries, "he might as well call new elections."
Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, who visited some of the victims in Tel Aviv hospitals today, said, "The government must give dramatic expression to Israel's [obligation] to ensure personal security for each and every citizen and guest of Israel - and as soon as possible."
The attack came just several hours after Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonisky told Israel Radio that the relative quiet in Israel over the past six weeks was not intentional on the Palestinians' part. Echoing sentiments uttered yesterday by GSS Chief Avi Dichter to the Cabinet, Aharonisky said that terror groups remain motivated to murder Jews.
Knesset Member Uri Ariel (National Union) spoke to Arutz-7's Yaakov Klein several minutes after the explosion. "Yesterday it was three dead, today it's five," he said. "We must take one giant step in destroying the terrorist infrastructure. These small baby steps that we are taking are causing the spilling of more Jewish blood… We must win this battle through strength."
Other reactions were also predictable: MK Chaim Ramon (Labor) said that a partition is needed between Israel and the Arab areas of Yesha, MK Benny Elon (National Union) called for a transfer of Arabs, and MK Michael Kleiner (Herut) said that if Prime Minister Sharon is not planning to bomb the PA cities from the air while leaving open escape routes towards Arab countries, "he might as well call new elections."
Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, who visited some of the victims in Tel Aviv hospitals today, said, "The government must give dramatic expression to Israel's [obligation] to ensure personal security for each and every citizen and guest of Israel - and as soon as possible."