Press laments Beersheba bombings

Israeli papers have reacted with resignation to the twin suicide bombings in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Tuesday, feeling it was just a matter of time before the lull in the violence would come to an end.

One leading daily criticises the international community for condemning Israel's construction of the security barrier aimed at stopping such attacks, suggesting if it had been extended to the south, Tuesday's attacks might not have occurred.

Some Arab papers, including a Palestinian daily, express regret at the loss of life, but pin the blame firmly on the policies of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government.

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The nightmare returns: After 180 days of relative calm, a whole country returned to the nightmare it wanted to forget. A thousand learned articles and a hundred declarations by generals are useless in preventing the continuation of the terrorist activity of a population that is within a stone's throw of us and among us. Yesterday's tragic double suicide attack is the painful proof of this.

Editorial in Yediot Aharonot

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A terrorist attack like yesterday's has strategic significance, because it will be very difficult to implement the Gaza Strip withdrawal in view of the blood and smoke in the heart of Israeli cities. A fateful decision lies before the security establishment and the prime minister - to continue with the policy of easing conditions for the Palestinians, or impose a siege on Palestinian cities to reduce to the minimum the chances of terrorists arriving in Israel. At the moment, it seems the second option will prevail.

Commentator in Ma'ariv

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The telling fact about yesterday's attack is that the attackers arrived in Beersheba from Hebron, unimpeded by the [separation] fence. Had the fence been there, it's doubtful they would have penetrated. By now, it's too late for the International Court of Justice to take this fact into consideration. It's also too late for the European Union, which instead offered Israel a five-sentence condolence note via EU representative Javier Solana. There is something profoundly amiss about a piece of condolence that offers itself in lieu of the kind of help that might have made the condolence unnecessary in the first place.

Editorial in Jerusalem Post

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Sharon yesterday once again demonstrated courage and admirable commitment to the [disengagement] plan that is so crucial to Israel. The prime minister has made clear that the tragedy in Beersheba has strengthened him. May his fellow leaders not weaken him.

Editorial in Ha'aretz

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The two charred buses in Beersheba that brought to an end five months of calm was an injection of oxygen for Hamas. Five months have passed since the liquidation of [Hamas leader] Abdel Aziz Rantissi, which Hamas had yet to avenge, but as far as it is concerned, it is better late than never. But in the end, yesterday's 'success' does not change the general picture. Despite the harsh action in Beersheba, terrorism is on the wane.

Commentator in Ma'ariv

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The suicide bombing in Beersheba was another reminder that Israel is not acting in a void. The disengagement plan may be unilateral, but on the ground there is another side, the Palestinians, who have not lost the will to fight and are still capable of influencing the processes.

Commentator in Ha'aretz

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It is not in the Palestinians' nature to shed blood and kill innocent people. What happened yesterday in Beersheba cannot be justified, just like the Israeli aggressions that have not ceased, even for a second. There is only one way to put an end to this barren cycle of revenge and counter-revenge, for which both sides have paid so dearly: a political settlement. It is unfortunate and sad that settler elements and fanatics, who constitute a minority in Israeli society, are directing the decision-making.

Editorial in Palestinian Al-Quds

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Sharon's victims in Beersheba: We feel sorry for the great number of Israelis who died in the suicide attack in Beersheba. However, we have to recall that the Palestinian people and their national authority cried out loudly to revive the peace process and took initiatives which gave a chance for peaceful Israeli-Palestinian co-existence. However, Sharon did not listen to reason.

Editorial in Egypt's Al-Jumhuriyah

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Balance of terror: The twin suicide attack in Beersheba, besides being a natural reaction to avenge the assassination of Palestinian resistance leaders, is to remind them [the Israelis] that their military forces and tyrannical terrorism will do them no good. It will not protect them from the Palestinians as long as the Palestinians remain unsafe.

Editorial in Qatar's Al-Watan

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Palestinian resistance hits back strongly: The Beersheba suicide operation has proved that the Palestinian resistance may be silent for a while, but it will not keep silent forever. It will always react and prove to Ariel Sharon that the Palestinian struggle will not be subjected to the policies of barriers and deceit.

Editorial in Qatar'sAl-Rayah

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