I don’t usually comment on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, just because it’s wildly self-evident to me that whatever heavy-handedness and injustice has been committed by Israel and its army in the occupied territories, it pales in the face of the sort of terror attacks on civilians that various terrorist groups commit.
Still, even I was taken aback by reports that the bombing of a bus in Jerusalem yesterday seemed less random child-killing barbarism than specifically targeted murder: a bus packed with ultra-Orthodox Jewish families returning from the Western Wall. The bomber was evidently disguised as an ultra-Orthodox Jew.
But, right, it’s not about religion, or hating the Jews — it’s about revolution and political action. Swell.
That the suicide bomber was a preacher at his mosque probably wasn’t relevant, either, right?
In a first response, Israel froze all contacts with the Palestinian Authority and canceled the planned handover of two West Bank towns to Palestinian control, a move that had been expected later this week. The Israeli army also closed border crossings to seal off the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Palestinian legislator Saeb Erekat criticized Israel’s decision, saying it was important to maintain contacts. “The main message I want to send to the Americans is that … every possible effort should be exerted to keep the road map and the truce alive,” he said.
It might be nice of Erekat worked on some of his cohorts to keep people alive. That would probably help the truce.
In an Israeli prison, Palestinian security prisoners applauded joyously and passed out candy when they learned of the bombing, the Israel Prisons Authority said.
These are, one might note, some of the prisoners who are supposed to be released under the Road Map.
Feh.