PRESS RELEASE

AMBASSADOR YAACOBI CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF JERUSALEM BUS BOMBING UNITED NATIONS, 21 August 1995
Following this morning's suicide bombing of a commuter bus in Jerusalem, a letter was sent today by Gad Yaacobi, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations to UN Secretary General Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali. In his letter, Ambassador Yaacobi said, "[T]his is a difficult day for Israel, but the timetable for negotiations should not be effected, except for a period of mourning." Yaacobi added that, "Israel calls upon all Member States to unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack, and to oppose those states and organizations who promote terrorism. It also calls upon Member States to join in supporting the peace process." Following is the text of the letter:

I would like to draw your attention to a grave act of terrorism which was perpetrated today in Israel by Palestinian extremists. At 7:50 a.m. local time, a Palestinian terrorist detonated a bomb on a commuter bus travelling in rush hour traffic in Jerusalem's Ramat Eshkol neighborhood. The explosion destroyed two buses that were travelling along the same street. According to the latest accounts, four Israelis were killed and over 100 were injured. Sources from the fundamentalist organization Hamas have claimed responsibility for the attack which was carried out by a terrorist who entered the bus armed with a pipe bomb. The attack was intended not only to kill innocent Israelis, but to derail the peace process as well. The attacker and those who sent him are enemies of peace and of the people of the Middle East who seek an end to hatred and violence. Israel will not allow terrorism to destroy the progress made thus far in implementing the Declaration of Principles signed by Israel and the PLO on 13 September 1993. Israel remains committed to working with the Palestinians toward achieving peace. Yet Israel will continue to take all measures necessary to combat terrorism in order to ensure the security of its citizens. This is a difficult day for Israel, but the timetable for negotiations should not be effected, except for a period of mourning. Israel calls upon all Member States to unequivocally condemn this terrorist attack, and to oppose those states and organizations who promote terrorism. It also calls upon Member States to join in supporting the peace process.