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CNN Live Saturday

International Leaders Condemn Bombing, Israel Mourns

Aired June 02, 2001 - 13:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: World leaders have been swift and nearly unanimous in condemning the suicide bombing of an Israeli disco in Tel Aviv. For now, the government of Ariel Sharon is hoping that international pressure will be enough to end further attacks. CNN's Jerrold Kessel reports from Jerusalem.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JERROLD KESSEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Disbelief and anguish among Israelis who the day after, came to visit the scene of Friday night's suicide bombing. And anger, too. The government shouldn't be frightened says this man. The people will be totally behind them if they went to war. Much better, he adds, to die fighting for Israel in war than like dirt here.

The 17 killed aside from the suicide bomber were almost all teenage girls and boys, all but one, identified as immigrants from Russia. They were among those lining up enter the night spot known as the "Dolphi Discotheque" on the bustling Tel Aviv waterfront.

And as a crowd gathered outside where the Israeli leadership was convening, an extraordinary session to decide how to respond. The demand there vehement action against Yasser Arafat's Palestinian authority. Emerging from the meeting, Israeli cabinet secretary declared, "Israel holds the Palestinian Authority directly responsible and will take all necessary measures to defend its citizens," but stopped short of saying whether Mr. Sharon himself self-proclaimed policy of restraint of the last 10 days is now over.

CHEMI SHALEY, ISRAELI POLITICAL ANALYST: What we have to realize, I think, is that with this terrorist action, we've crossed some sort of Rubicon. And I don't think that we'll see the same type of response that we've seen before.

KESSEL: Yasser Arafat declared the Palestinian Authority is ready to work for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but he did not elaborate on what concrete steps he will take.

TERJE LARSEN, U.N. MIDDLE EAST ENVOY: Arafat is stretching out his hand, however, they have to be followed by deeds. And this is the test of the statement. So I do hope that Mr. Arafat gathers his top security officials today. KESSEL: But the U.N. envoy who together with German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fisher had met with Yasser Arafat before the Palestinian statement says the onus is on the Israel, too.

SHALEY: Both sides tried to, number one to show restraint and both sides tried to get order in their ranks and to give the right orders.

KESSEL: Hundreds of irate Israelis kept up an hour's long running battle with police and with some Israel Arabs, whom they tried to attack within a mosque right near the scene of Friday night's bloody events. Police reported several arrests and injuries.

(on camera): With the area now very much on tender hooks, Prime Minister Sharon has called off a planned visit to Western Europe. The Palestinian Authority fearing an Israeli strike has closed its offices and ordered all staff to remain at home. And some U.N. staff have been evacuated from Gaza.

Jerrold Kessel, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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