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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/articl...-665333,00.html
British suicide bomber strikes Israel
By Robert Tait in Jerusalem, Roland Watson in Washington and Rosemary Bennett
A BRITISH suicide bomber killed three people in a Tel Aviv café in a blast timed to wreck historic peace efforts, Israeli police said last night. A second Briton was said to have fled after his bomb failed to explode.
Authorities named the pair as 21-year-old Asif Mohammed Hanif, the first European suicide bomber of the Palestinian uprising, and Omar Khan Sharif, of Derby, who was still on the run last night.
Asif Mohammed Hanif
Both were said to have used British passports to enter Israel from the Gaza Strip several days ago in preparation for the attack, which was staged to overshadow publication of the “road map” to peace prepared by America, Russia, the EU and the UN.
The “road map”, which sets out a series of steps that should be taken leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state in two years’ time, was published hours after Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in as the new Palestinian Prime Minister, promising to crack down on violence.
The 1 am suicide bombing was claimed as a joint operation by al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed offshoot of Yassir Arafat’s Fatah movement, and the hardline Islamic group Hamas. Mr Abbas is expected to confront Hamas, which posted a notice on its website admitting it carried out the attack, although it has yet to name the bombers.
The Britons are thought to have been involved in a confrontation as they tried to enter Mike’s Place, a seafront bar popular with tourists and American and British expatriates. Hanif’s bomb exploded, killing three Israeli citizens — including a French-born woman — and injuring more than 50. But witnesses said that Mr Sharif took off his bomb belt and threw it away when his device failed to go off.
Last night Israeli police launched a huge manhunt for Mr Sharif, 27, who lived until recently in a semi-detached Victorian home near Derby city centre.
Omar Khan Sharif
Mr Sharif is believed to be a follower of the fundamentalist group al-Muhajiroun, which campaigns to turn Britain into an Islamic state, supports Osama bin Laden and endorses the use of violence.
Neighbours said that he had moved away before the outbreak of the Iraq war, saying he was going to Syria to continue his religious studies, and last night his sister, Mimeda, and her husband abruptly left in a white Toyota. An Asian man who answered the door at the house, said simply: “Omar does not live here any more.”
Hanif is the only Briton to have completed a suicide attack — the only previous British bomber, Richard Reid, failed to detonate a device in his shoe on a transatlantic flight — but there is a growing band of Britons apparently willing to give their lives in the cause of Islamic extremism.
Significant numbers of young British Muslims have become battle-hardened in jihads around the world and a London imam has told The Times that hundreds of them have been given training to become terrorists in the al-Qaeda mould. They have been promised that if they die as martyrs for the cause of Islam they will go to heaven and be rewarded with a host of virgins.
The Tel Aviv attack was orchestrated by Hamas, which pledged to wreck the “road map” peace plan before it was even published. “The road map aims to assure security for Israel at the expense of the security of our people,” the Hamas spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, said. “It is a plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause (for independence). It is rejected by us.”
In Washington, President Bush opened a new chapter in Washington’s dealings with the Palestinian Authority last night, describing Mr Abbas as “a man I can work with”.
He also said that Israel would have to make give ground. “Israel is going to have to make some sacrifices in order to take the peace process forward.”
US officials had suggested that Mr Bush would restrain his response to the swearing in of Mr Abbas, lest he were labelled an American stooge. But Mr Bush offered a warm endorsement, saying: “Now that we have an interlocutor from the Palestinian Authority that has spoken clearly about the need to fight terror, we have a good opportunity to advance the peace process. And I will seize the opportunity.” He also announced that he was dispatching Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, to the region next week.
Tony Blair also emphasised the hard work needed to make the plan succeed, but he described the prize as “enormous”. He said he did not underestimate the scale of the task or the commitment it would require, but added: “There is now a real opportunity for both sides to work, with the strong support of the international communtiy, to achieve a just and lasting settlement.”
Israel, however, voiced 15 reservations to the plan. It wants the Palestinians to renounce at the outset of negotiations their demand that the right of return be given to refugees forced to leave at the time of the 1948 War of Independence. It also objects to having to follow a rigid timetable and says that Israeli obligations should be conditional on Mr Abbas restraining militant groups. Israel also wants the plan to be monitored solely by the Americans rather than all four sponsors.
Last night, an Israeli official said Mr Sharon’s Government wanted further discussions on how to implement the road map. “An unequivocal fight against terror is the first step in the road map,” the official said. “We believe Abu Mazen represents an opportunity that we are willing to seize and work with. We are willing to take confidence building steps as a sign of our good faith and show that we are definitely willing to help him.”
Mr Abbas, however, wants the plan to be implemented in its current form. In a speech marking his confirmation in office on Monday, he accused Israel of trying to renegotiate the “road map” and declared: “The road map must be implemented, not negotiated. Therefore, my Government supports the Palestinian leadership in asserting its refusal of the so-called Israeli amendments.”
Last edited by Sirotnikov on 01-05-2003 at 15:08
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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/p...sID=0&listSrc=Y
TA suicide bomber was British citizen
By Roni Singer and Amos Harel
Public asked to help locate 2nd terrorist
The suicide bomber who blew himself up early yesterday morning at a Tel Aviv beachfront pub, killing three Israelis and wounding about 60, was a British citizen.
A second terrorist, who managed to flee when his explosive device failed to detonate, is also British.
The three killed in the blast were Yanai Weiss, a musician from Holon, Ran Baron from Tel Aviv, and Dominique Caroline Hess, also from Tel Aviv. (Further coverage on Page 3).
The man who escaped after scuffling with bystanders at the pub was identified as 27-year-old Omar Khan Sharif. The police and Shin Bet are requesting the public's help in locating him and have published his portrait in the media. The suicide bomber, a Muslim, was identified in his British passport as 21-year-old Asif Mohammed Hanif.
Both Hanif and Sharif came to Israel from Britain, then went to the Gaza Strip. They entered Israel from the Gaza Strip a few hours before the attack, the first to be launched from there in the 31 months of the intifada.
At the Tel Aviv promenade, Sharif decided not to continue with the planned attack due to a malfunction in his explosive device. Hanif continued alone and blew himself up in the pub. Minutes later, the police received reports of a man seen escaping from the area. Shortly afterward, the explosive and the fleeing bomber's coat were found near the American embassy.
The attack on Mike's Place was jointly planned by the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the Al Qassam Brigades, a man calling himself Abu Barek told AFP by telephone. A statement issued by the Al Qassam Brigades assumed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out with the assistance of Fatah's military arm in revenge for Israel's liquidation of Ibrahim Almakadma, a senior member, in the Gaza Strip two months ago.
The British Foreign Office yesterday roundly denounced the terrorist attack and said Britain was cooperating with the Israeli authorities and would give them any necessary help and information regarding the two British suicide bombers.
The British Home Office, which is in charge of the security service MI5, and Scotland Yard, which operates the national unit for fighting terrorism, refused to comment. The two will head the inquiry regarding the recruitment and training of the bombers for their suicide mission.
Palestinian Prime Minster Abu Mazen yesterday denounced the attack, which he described as an immoral act that was harmful to Palestinian interests, too.
The White House condemned the bombing as a "cowardly act," but said the attack would not scuttle the start of a new peace initiative. "We condemn this cowardly act of terrorism. These homicide bombers are not only attempting to murder innocent civilians, they are also attempting to kill the aspirations of the Palestinian people for their own free democratic prosperous state," said White House National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack
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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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Asif Mohammed Hanif
Blew up killing 3 people and wounding 60
 Attachment: 72609-5.jpg
This has been downloaded 130 time(s).
Last edited by Sirotnikov on 01-05-2003 at 15:03
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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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Omar Khan Sharif
His explosive belt failed and he fled.
He is now being searched for by Israeli authorities and secret services.
Attachment: 72610-5.jpg
This has been downloaded 130 time(s).
Last edited by Sirotnikov on 01-05-2003 at 15:03
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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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Sandman, did you even read the story? 
quote:
Authorities named the pair as 21-year-old Asif Mohammed Hanif, the first European suicide bomber of the Palestinian uprising, and Omar Khan Sharif, of Derby, who was still on the run last night.
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quote:
Last night Israeli police launched a huge manhunt for Mr Sharif, 27, who lived until recently in a semi-detached Victorian home near Derby city centre.
Mr Sharif is believed to be a follower of the fundamentalist group al-Muhajiroun, which campaigns to turn Britain into an Islamic state, supports Osama bin Laden and endorses the use of violence.
Neighbours said that he had moved away before the outbreak of the Iraq war, saying he was going to Syria to continue his religious studies, and last night his sister, Mimeda, and her husband abruptly left in a white Toyota. An Asian man who answered the door at the house, said simply: “Omar does not live here any more.”
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Sirotnikov
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<--- Yes, It's a "kitty" in a boot.
Feb 2000
time: 07:27
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Well two things I'd expect.
1. Since members of that team committed suicide bombings, they should be put under stricter surveillance and checked whether they incite to violence and terror.
2. I can't believe how can a group like this call for the creation of a muslim religious state in Britain, instead of the Parlamentarial Democracy + Kingdom you have there.
They are trying to subjugate a country with years of traditions and stature and democracy, and change it's culture. Isn't this a sort of "cultural genocide"?
Furthermore, aren't there any laws protecting democracy?
In Israel, a basic law (since we don't have a constitution we have several "basic laws" which can be changed only with an 80% majority in parliament, or something of this sort.) says that elected political movements can not call for the destruction of Israel, as a state, as a democracy, or as a jewish homeland. Such a group will be banned from parliament and public posts or affiliations.
Furthermore, if there is evidence of them inciting to violence, they will usually be surveilled and shut down if possible.
Last edited by Sirotnikov on 01-05-2003 at 14:57
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CerberusIV
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The British way of dealing with this is to let these people run around and shout their extremist views. This achieves two things. First it makes it easy to identify them and their followers. Second it upsets the moderate people and gets the extremists labelled as such so they can be derided and ridiculed.
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01-05-2003 03:53
I wonder if we could do this with the religious right in the US.
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