Palestinians dread America's wrath after bombing

Reuters ^ | 10/15/03

[areafiftyone]

JABALYA, Gaza Strip, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Palestinians said they feared retribution from the United States after three American security guards were killed in a bomb attack on a U.S. embassy convoy in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The blast occurred on the edge of the large Jabalya refugee camp near Gaza City, a stronghold for Palestinian militants involved in a three-year-old uprising against Israel for statehood that began after U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed.

"We wonder what (U.S. President George W.) Bush will do now," lamented Ahmed, a worried resident of Jabalya. "I guess he is mad at us."

The convoy targeted by a roadside bomb was heading to Gaza City where a cultural attache was due to interview Palestinian students hoping to receive scholarships for post-graduate studies in the United States, Palestinian officials said.

"They were coming to do interviews in order to evaluate candidates. I condemn the act completely and I believe all Palestinians are against it and reject it," said Reyad al-Agha, head of Gaza City's al-Azhar University.

"I do not know who was behind this but it certainly aimed ... to undermine and worsen the relationship between Palestinians and Americans," he told Reuters.

Militant groups denied responsibility for the bombing -- a rare attack on foreigners in the uprising -- and it was condemned by Palestinian officials including President Yasser Arafat, who said he had ordered an investigation.

A cord used to detonate the bomb stretched over 100 metres (330 feet) away from the wreckage of the U.S. Chevrolet jeep towards a factory zone at the edge of the refugee camp.

U.S. 'BIASED' BUT NOT ENEMY FOR MOST PALESTINIANS

"It (the bombing) could have happened by mistake. Maybe the target was Israeli tanks who frequently raid our areas. But we fear the U.S. will react through Israel's army," said Mohammed Mesleh, a municipal worker among onlookers at the bombing scene.

"The attack could have taken place because the United States has gone so far in its bias and support for Israel. America is not silent any more regarding Israeli policies against us, but a supporter of these policies," he said.

Palestinians often accuse the United States of taking Israel's side in the intractable Middle East conflict.

U.S. flags and effigies of Bush are sometimes burned at protests and pictures of Washington's enemies, including former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, the head of al Qaeda, have been waved during rallies.

Six U.S. investigators who arrived under Palestinian police escort to examine the scene of the bombing were forced to leave after youths from Jabalya stoned them and their vehicles.

But most Palestinians do not regard Americans as enemies and would not support violence that might alienate them.

In August, Bush said Washington would provide $26 million in urgent assistance to Palestinian refugees in the near future. About 70 percent of the 1.2 million Palestinians packed into the tiny Gaza Strip are war refugees or their descendants.

"It is not ideal to win America's enmity but unfortunately many people all over the world are extremely angry at U.S. policies against the Palestinian people," said tailor Imad Taha.

[areafiftyone]

"We wonder what (U.S. President George W.) Bush will do now," lamented Ahmed, a worried resident of Jabalya. "I guess he is mad at us."

NO S#$T Sherlock!

[Lost Highway]

I think maybe we are getting through.

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[arkfreepdom]

Fear is a good thing.

[NutmegDevil]

It's another tragedy, certainly. But it is good that our enemies/adversaries know it is wise to once again fear American retribution when American lives are taken in war-like events.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Easy solution for both the US and Israel - every time there is a bombing, a radical, suicide inspiring mullah dies and a radical mosque gets dynamited. No more mucking about with investigation and collateral damage - kill the problem at its source.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"A cord used to detonate the bomb stretched over 100 metres (330 feet) away from the wreckage of the U.S. Chevrolet jeep towards a factory zone at the edge of the refugee camp."

What's a chevrolet jeep? Do they mean "hummer"?

[Kay Soze]

How will creating a new nation called Palestine, filled with people that love to kill add to the peace in the middle east?

[Spok]

"But most Palestinians do not regard Americans as enemies and would not support violence that might alienate them."

MAJOR BARF ALERT!!!

This is unqualified BULLS**T! They danced in the streets on 9/11!

Would they be at all concerned about our response were it not for GWB and the invasion of Iraq? Hmmm? If Gore were President, they'd be dancing in the streets today.

[rllngrk33]

"We wonder what (U.S. President George W.) Bush will do now," lamented Ahmed, a worried resident of Jabalya. "I guess he is mad at us."

It's not Bush that he has to worry about, it's the American pulic. This ought to push the Palis clearly into the enemy column.

[Prof Engineer]

-- and it was condemned by Palestinian officials including President Yasser Arafat, who said he had ordered an investigation.

Like that'll do any good, or discover anything useful.

[freeangel]

"...to undermine and worsen the relationship between Palestinians and Americans.."

the only thing that would make the "relationship" better would be to start pointing fingers and identifying the real terrorists if "most Palestinians do not regard Americans as enemies" Of course, that will never happen because they are too busy dancing in the streets when any tragedy befalls an American.

[verity]

Most likely an insufficiently customized surburban.

[rllngrk33]

OOPs. pulic = public

[pfflier]

Palestinians said they feared retribution from the United States after three American security guards were killed in a bomb attack on a U.S. embassy convoy in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.

And I wonder what message it would send when the 9 dwarves want to negotiate with the terrorists as opposed to letting the President do what needed to be done for a long time...Clean House

[Poohbah]

Kill them all. Allah will know his own.

[Monty22]

We better do something! What is this crap!?!?

I bet the ones killed were peaceniks though, but still. Throw Powell OUT NOW BUSH!

[metesky]

Hasn't anybody here been watching these sand thugs long enough to realize this is the same old soft-shoe ya get every time.

"Oh my goodness, who could have done that?"

"Order an investigation."

Point the finger in the other direction.

BS!

Wise up!

[RiflemanSharpe]

"We wonder what (U.S. President George W.) Bush will do now," lamented Ahmed, a worried resident of Jabalya. "I guess he is mad at us."

Ya Think?

[vaudine]

Cut out the scholrships. Cut out the interviews. Send ALL Palestinians home to Palestine until they can get it straight on who the enemy is--"look in the mirror, folks. You have met the enemy and it are you."

Disgusting.

vaudine