Israel blames Iran and Syria for bombing

Israel is blaming Iran and Syria for funding and planning the suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv that wounded 20, Israeli officials said today.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for yesterday afternoon’s bombing, which wrecked a fast-food restaurant in a rundown part of Tel Aviv’s centre.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah party is facing a stiff challenge from Hamas, the other Islamic movement, condemned the attack as an attempt to sabotage the January 25 election.

In a high-level security meeting to assess a response, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said Syria planned the attack and Iran funded it, but Israel would not hit back at the Palestinians, according to security officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to give details to the media.

Mofaz said Israel would tighten security around Nablus, where the bomber lived, and target Islamic Jihad militants in raids.

Mofaz cited “clear evidence” about Syrian and Iranian involvement, the officials said, and would pass the evidence on to the US and Europe.

The explosion wrecked “The Mayor’s Shwarma,” a fast-food restaurant specialising in grilled meat sandwiches, in a rundown part of downtown Tel Aviv - an area hit several times before by Palestinian attackers.

The bomber, who witnesses said pretended to be a peddler selling disposable razors, walked into the restaurant and blew himself up, even though most of the customers were sitting at sidewalk tables, relatively far from the bomber, said police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld.

Twenty people were wounded, one seriously, and the 22-year-old bomber was killed.

This was the seventh suicide bombing aimed at Israelis since Palestinian militants declared an unofficial truce in February 2005. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for all – six in Israel and one at a West Bank army checkpoint.

Islamic Jihad identified the assailant as 22-year-old Sami Abdel Hafez Antar from the West Bank city of Nablus.

The bombing came two days after Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he was interested in talks toward a peace treaty with the Palestinians, on condition that they dismantle violent groups as stipulated in the internationally backed “road map” peace plan.

Olmert is running for prime minister in March 28 elections as Ariel Sharon’s successor. Sharon, felled by a massive stroke Jan. 4, is still in a coma and is not expected to recover.

Sharon is believed to have favoured a long-term interim arrangement to test Palestinian intentions, and has been sceptical of Abbas’ ability to rein in militants.