The Cabinet did not convene for an emergency meeting today, but Prime Minister Sharon, Defense Minister Mofaz, Public Security Minister Landau, and other security leaders met this afternoon in the Prime Minister's branch office in Tel Aviv. It was announced afterwards that Israel's reaction would come in a series of small military operations, and not one large one that would require a call-up of reserves.
A week ago, intelligence sources warned of a Jerusalem attack originating in Bethlehem, and a demand was made for the army to take control of Bethlehem. This idea was rejected, however, and instead the decision-makers planned their military response in case an attack should materialize.
Foreign Ministry representatives were at the site of the attack this morning, ready to talk with the international reporters who swooped down on the scene. Also to this end, the eleven bodies were lined up, each in its body bag, outside the destroyed bus, until photographers had their fill of the pictures of tragedy that would be sent around the world.
Prime Minister Sharon did not issue an announcement. Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane noted that in the past, Sharon often reacted verbally to terrorist attacks, such as at the site of the Gilo bus blast last June. Visibly shaken at the time, he said, "What kind of Palestinian state are they talking about? What are they talking about? This terrible thing that we see here is a continuation of the Palestinian terrorism, and against this we must fight."
A week ago, intelligence sources warned of a Jerusalem attack originating in Bethlehem, and a demand was made for the army to take control of Bethlehem. This idea was rejected, however, and instead the decision-makers planned their military response in case an attack should materialize.
Foreign Ministry representatives were at the site of the attack this morning, ready to talk with the international reporters who swooped down on the scene. Also to this end, the eleven bodies were lined up, each in its body bag, outside the destroyed bus, until photographers had their fill of the pictures of tragedy that would be sent around the world.
Prime Minister Sharon did not issue an announcement. Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane noted that in the past, Sharon often reacted verbally to terrorist attacks, such as at the site of the Gilo bus blast last June. Visibly shaken at the time, he said, "What kind of Palestinian state are they talking about? What are they talking about? This terrible thing that we see here is a continuation of the Palestinian terrorism, and against this we must fight."