Hamas official says suicide bombing legitimate

RAW STORY
Published: Monday April 17, 2006

A Palestinian suicide bomber killed six other people and wounded at least 35 in a bustling neighborhood of Tel Aviv on Monday -- and the Palestinians' new Hamas leaders called the attack a legitimate response to Israeli "aggression," AP reported on the registration-restricted WALL STREET JOURNAL website Monday. Excerpts.

#

"We think that this operation ... is a direct result of the policy of the occupation and the brutal aggression and siege committed against our people," said Khaled Abu Helal, spokesman for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry.

His message clashed with that of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, of the rival Fatah Party, who condemned the bombing as a "terrorist attack."

The Islamic Jihad group claimed responsibility for the bombing in a phone call to the Associated Press. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for all six of the previous suicide attacks inside Israel since Hamas declared a ceasefire more than a year ago.

FULL PAID STORY HERE