Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410200087
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL LENGTH: Medium
The attack, the worst in Israel in 16 years, wounded 48 people. Police blamed it on a suicide bomber.
Some Israelis cried for vengeance against the Islamic radicals who have claimed responsibility for three major attacks in 10 days.
Shouts of ``Death to the Arabs!'' were heard from bystanders on the seaside city's main thoroughfare as severed arms and legs were gathered for burial, some from on top of four-story buildings.
``It will end. It has to end. We will tear them to bits,'' said President Ezer Weizman, who called for ``extraordinary action'' to root out Islamic extremists.
Police suspected a West Bank fugitive known as ``The Engineer'' of planning the attack, according to Israeli news reports.
Israeli authorities said they believed a suicide bomber carrying up to 44 pounds of explosives boarded the red-and-white bus No. 5 as it headed up tree-lined Dizengoff Street, the city's main shopping street.
Around 9 a.m., as the bus approached the cafe-lined central stretch parallel to the beachfront, the explosion ripped it apart. Shattered glass and pieces of metal mixed with pieces of flesh scattered in the street.
Members of Israel's official religious-run burial society labored for hours to remove dozens of bags of bodies and body parts from the scene.
Some in the crowd of thousands that formed shouted ``Death to Arabs!'' over the din of police helicopters, ambulance sirens and the shouts of rescue workers.
Hospital sources said two of the 48 wounded were in critical condition. Police said the 20 dead included nearly all the people on the No. 5 bus. The initial death toll of 22 was lowered after all the body parts were collected by pathologists, Israel radio said.
The attack sparked anti-government protests around the country and gave Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin little choice but to retaliate against extremist groups who oppose Israel-Arab peacemaking.
In a dramatic television address, an angry Rabin said he would seek legislative backing for a wide-ranging crackdown on the fundamentalists, while at the same time pressing ahead in peace talks with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Departing from his cautious approach to peacemaking, he stressed the need for a final political settlement that will divorce Israelis from the Palestinians of West Bank and Gaza Strip.
``We need a separation between us and the Palestinians, not just for days but as a way of life,'' Rabin said.
The apparent suicide bombing reminded Israelis of their continued vulnerability to terrorism, even as the country prepares to sign a peace agreement with Jordan next week.
President Clinton said he still would attend the ceremony on the Israel-Jordan border. Israel Radio said security would be tightened for Clinton's visit.
Also shattered was the peace of mind Israelis prize in Tel Aviv, a lively seaside metropolis that often seems a refuge from the bloodshed of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
``It's like Russian roulette living in this country,'' said Ronny Levy. ``Every day someone else gets killed.''
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB