Segacs's World I Know

Posts Tagged ‘tel aviv’

The world is still reacting to the latest bombing in Israel, but I know all too well that within a few days it will be all but forgotten, relegated to just the latest in a long string of similar attacks. People keep dying, accusations keep flying, and not very much changes.

The EU has condemned the attacks, but as usual, the condemnation focused more on the fact that terrorism was counter-productive strategically than on the fact that it’s just plain wrong to kill innocent human beings. And, of course, the EU has felt the need to call on “both sides” to end the violence:

“The legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people cannot be promoted through acts of terrorism,” the EU presidency said.

Patten urged Israel and the Palestinians to recommit themselves to the peace initiative of the so-called Quartet of the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the 15-nation EU.

It’s getting harder and harder to read this stuff.

Hillel is holding a vigil for the victims of today’s terrorist attack in Tel Aviv. Tomorrow (Monday) at 2:30pm at the Roddick Gates, corner Sherbrooke and McGill College.

I’ll be at work, but for those Montrealers out there who can make it, please spread the word. As the political fallout becomes the main story and the names of the victims relegated to mere statistics, it’s important to do whatever is in our power to make sure that these innocent lives are not forgotten.

The Jerusalem Post is now reporting 22 dead and over 120 injured. CNN reports that many of the wounded are immigrant workers, who may be afraid to seek medical attention because they don’t have the proper papers to remain in Israel.

Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau said anyone injured, regardless of their legal status, should seek medical care.

“We have made it clear that we will take good care of anyone who will be taken to the hospital,” Landau said. “We’re going to see afterwards that they will be fully taken care of.”

There have been conflicting claims of responsibility, but the Israeli news sources appear to be saying that the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is behind the attacks. What I find most baffling and sickening is how three different groups all tried to claim responsibility, as though they all wish it were them behind the attacks. Who in their right mind would be proud of having murdered 22 innocent people in cold blood? The whole concept of “claiming responsibility” for suicide attacks is utterly and completely twisted.

Israel’s response has been swift. The IDF has fired missiles at Gaza City. Details are still emerging about the specific targets.

There’s been another bombing in Israel.

Two homicide bombers blew themselves up near the central bus station in Tel Aviv, a crowded area where many foreign workers live. The Jerusalem Post reports that so far 20 people have been killed and over 100 injured.

For starters I’d like to add my condolences to the victims and their families. I’m not sure what makes me angrier: the way the international press is more concerned about Israel’s potential responses than about the attack itself, or the way the focus of the media is more on the political ramifications of the bombings, with respect to Israel’s upcoming election, than on the fact that twenty innocent people died horribly and uselessly.

The whole thing makes me sick.