WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The bomb that exploded near a central Tel Aviv fast-food stand Thursday wounded 15, but shattered hopes of a peaceful transition of power and expectations of smooth elections.
The explosion ended the relative truce that existed as Palestinians and Israelis prepare to head to the polls -- the Palestinians next week and the Israelis in March.
The bomb caused by a suicide bomber puts into question if a new wave of terror is about to be unleashed as the land prepares for what is seen as a landmark election for both sides.
For the Palestinians, it would be the first time that the Islamic Resistance Movement, better known by its Arabic acronym, Hamas, participated in legislative elections, possibly taking the radical Islamist group closer to mainstream politics and away from guerrilla activities.
Additionally, the renewed violence will test the resolve of Israel's interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert -- a relatively unknown entity in the turbulent world of Israeli politics. It will give him his first trial by fire, if you will, as the entire country will be watching to gauge what his response is likely to be. As of late Thursday night Olmert had not convened the Ministerial Defense Committee, the body tasked with considering options put forward by the military.
Olmert did, however, talk by telephone with his principal advisers in the army, police and intelligence services.
One person who will most certainly be watching the prime minister's actions closely is Benyamin Netanyahu, a former prime minister and a former minister in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's last government. Netanyahu, who disagreed with Sharon over the unilateral disengagement from Gaza last year, inherited the leadership of the rightwing Likud Party after Sharon stormed out to form his own party, Kadima!, which means "forward" in Hebrew.
The other effect caused by this bomb will be to remind Israelis that while they are in the midst of an unusual election campaign, the threat of terror bombings is never too far off. Following the massive stroke suffered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who remains incapacitated, the outcome of the Israel election remains uncertain.
The timing of this bomb is, of course, most unfortunate -- not that any attack can ever be called fortunate. It comes at a time when Hamas, the militant Islamist movement, is attempting an entry into mainstream politics in next week's election. The participation of Hamas -- which is expected to make major gains -- comes to the detriment of Fatah, the backbone of the Palestinian Authority and the mainstream movement founded by Yasser Arafat.
In an earlier unrelated incident, but nevertheless one that will add to the rise in tension between Israel and the Palestinians, Hamas threatened to kidnap Israeli soldiers to swap them for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar told an election rally in the city of Khan Younes in the southern Gaza Strip Wednesday night that his group believes it has no other alternative than kidnapping Israeli troops to negotiate the release of Palestinian prisoners.
"The issue of prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails is of utmost importance for Hamas and a main objective at the top of its agenda," al-Zahar said.
"We will have no rest until all prisoners are released unconditionally," he added.
Commenting on possible talks with Israel, al-Zahar, one of Hamas' candidates in the elections, said, "Hamas will not negotiate with Israeli occupiers and will not recognize Israel's appropriation of a single inch of our land."
"Hamas will continue its program based on resistance after the collapse and failure of the Oslo peace accords with Israel," he added.
Al-Zahar underscored the urgent need to introduce reforms to Palestinian institutions and the political system. "We want a strong government, and ministries which serve the public with transparency and honesty and without bribes and mediation," he said.
Hamas was not involved in Thursday's bombing. Responsibility for the attack on the Tel Aviv snack bar was claimed by the smaller and more extremist militant group, Islamic Jihad. In the past year Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for a total of six suicide bombings in Israel. They are the only Palestinian party or faction boycotting the Jan. 25 election.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, said the bombing was meant to stop the Palestinian election, as residents of Gaza and the West Bank prepare to go to the polls next Wednesday. The bombing is meant to derail the elections which some militant groups do not want to see go ahead, knowing they are most likely to lose whatever power they currently yield.
In Washington President George W. Bush urged Abu Mazen to make sure the election takes place as planned.
"We call upon the Palestinian Authority to do everything it can to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure."
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