Jerusalemites woke up to yet another Sunday morning mass terror attack today, one that claimed seven lives and over 20 wounded. A Palestinian suicide murderer detonated himself aboard a public bus in northeastern Jerusalem shortly before 6 AM, murdering the seven on the spot. Within half an hour, a second suicide bomber blew himself up at an IDF checkpoint, further to the north in the capital; no injuries were suffered in that attack.
Diplomatic responses, if not military, were quick to come, with Prime Minister Sharon canceling his trip to the United States and calling an emergency Cabinet meeting for early this evening. Sharon was to have departed for Washington this afternoon, where he was to have met with U.S. President George Bush regarding the Road Map. American sources expressed "understanding" for the postponement. Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz held security consultations late this afternoon.
The first bombing took place near the French Hill junction aboard the #6 bus as it made its way to the center of Jerusalem from Pisgat Ze'ev. The murderous terrorist, who is assumed to have boarded the bus in Pisgat Ze'ev, was disguised as a religious Jew, wearing a yarmulke and ritual fringes. Seven of the wounded, three in serious condition, remained hospitalized by late this afternoon. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a second Palestinian terrorist arrived at the A-Ram Junction, north of N’vei Yaakov. He refused to adhere to two warnings by Border Guard personnel, and as the guards prepared to respond to the man’s suspicious behavior, he detonated the explosives he was carrying on his body. Aside from his death, no one was injured. Police say that the two bombings were originally planned as one joint attack, but they have embargoed additional details on the ongoing investigation.
The victims of today's murderous attack, most of whom lived in Pisgat Ze'ev:
1) Yitzchak Moyal, 64. Worked as a postal clerk, and is survived by his wife Rina, 6 children, and 12 grandchildren.
2) Shimon Ostinsky, 68. Immigrated to Israel in 1991 from Kiev, where he lectured in economics. In Israel, he worked as a parking lot clerk in the Old City of Jerusalem - but his wife Alexandra said that he "never complained." He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
3) Nellie Perov, 55, immigrated three years ago from Kazakhstan, with her daughter Lena, 20. Survived also by her son Andrei and two grandchildren.
4) Olga Brenner, 52
5) Marina Tzachivershvili, 44
6) Roni Yisraeli, 35.
7) an Arab resident of eastern Jerusalem whose name has not yet been released for publication
Responses of the political leadership can be seen in the article entitled "Responses" on our website.
Diplomatic responses, if not military, were quick to come, with Prime Minister Sharon canceling his trip to the United States and calling an emergency Cabinet meeting for early this evening. Sharon was to have departed for Washington this afternoon, where he was to have met with U.S. President George Bush regarding the Road Map. American sources expressed "understanding" for the postponement. Sharon and Defense Minister Mofaz held security consultations late this afternoon.
The first bombing took place near the French Hill junction aboard the #6 bus as it made its way to the center of Jerusalem from Pisgat Ze'ev. The murderous terrorist, who is assumed to have boarded the bus in Pisgat Ze'ev, was disguised as a religious Jew, wearing a yarmulke and ritual fringes. Seven of the wounded, three in serious condition, remained hospitalized by late this afternoon. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a second Palestinian terrorist arrived at the A-Ram Junction, north of N’vei Yaakov. He refused to adhere to two warnings by Border Guard personnel, and as the guards prepared to respond to the man’s suspicious behavior, he detonated the explosives he was carrying on his body. Aside from his death, no one was injured. Police say that the two bombings were originally planned as one joint attack, but they have embargoed additional details on the ongoing investigation.
The victims of today's murderous attack, most of whom lived in Pisgat Ze'ev:
1) Yitzchak Moyal, 64. Worked as a postal clerk, and is survived by his wife Rina, 6 children, and 12 grandchildren.
2) Shimon Ostinsky, 68. Immigrated to Israel in 1991 from Kiev, where he lectured in economics. In Israel, he worked as a parking lot clerk in the Old City of Jerusalem - but his wife Alexandra said that he "never complained." He was survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
3) Nellie Perov, 55, immigrated three years ago from Kazakhstan, with her daughter Lena, 20. Survived also by her son Andrei and two grandchildren.
4) Olga Brenner, 52
5) Marina Tzachivershvili, 44
6) Roni Yisraeli, 35.
7) an Arab resident of eastern Jerusalem whose name has not yet been released for publication
Responses of the political leadership can be seen in the article entitled "Responses" on our website.