Explosion strikes hotel in Israeli resort down; paramedics report dozens of casualties

Associated Press ^ | 3-27-02

[Oldeconomybuyer]

09:40 PST JERUSALEM (AP) -- An explosion went off Wednesday evening in a hotel in the Israeli coastal resort of Netanya, and paramedics said there were dozens of casualties.

The blast came at a time when Israelis were marking the start of the weeklong Passover holiday. Many hotels cater Passover Seders -- the ritual meal that ushers in the holiday.

[Drammach]

What with the Arab summit taking place right now,
sounds like a good time to Nuke Beirut.

See how the Arabs like some "terrorist bombing".

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I think American_in_Israel lives in Jeresulem....he posted a few days ago...

[TexasRepublic]

What infuriates me most is that Israel will not "get down to business" as they should. If not now, then when? I cannot publicly advocate what I think the Israelis ought to do, for obvious reasons of having my post or this thread yanked.

[Mo1]

Oh I tend to agree ... I figured a long time ago this was not about land ... the Arabs hate the jews and want them all dead ..

I fear the only one who can solve this mess is God himself ..

My heart goes out to all the people in Isreal

[RnMomof7]

Excellent link..thanks

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. Thanks for the comment.

[P8riot]

"What do you think of Powell as Secretary of State?

A specific part of a female's anatomy comes to mind.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!!!

[M. Thatcher]

the term "crystal clarity" suggests they're describing diamonds, not dried fruit

You may be right; but even that, I suspect, would drastically cut down on the suicide pilot recruitment...a diamond cannot provide perpetual, ahem, service (cough) in Paradise.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Explosion in hotel during Passover, 15 reported killed and 100 wounded -AP Breaking News
KARIN LAUB, Associated Press Writer
(03-27) 10:48 PST JERUSALEM (AP) -- A suicide bomber blew himself up in a hotel dining room in the Israeli coastal resort of Netanya on Wednesday as guests gathered for a Passover Seder, the ritual evening meal ushering in the Jewish...

[Southern Federalist]

I think you're right at least about this, that the situation in Israel would be far different strategically if Saddam were removed.

What I've thought might be involved here is the lack of a plausible endgame. I'm not sure what Sharon and his government have in mind as an alternative to the present situation, or if they have any clear ideas at all. If that's the case, then I can better understand the Administration saying, "Look, don't start something you haven't got any idea how to finish. Hold on till Saddam is gone and that may well open new possibilities."

Some of the most plausible endgames involve Jordan but it's clear Jordan can't play under present conditions in the Arab world. Without Saddam at his back, and with Assad wetting his drawers at the thought of ending up like Saddam, something like a Jordanian protectorate over the Palis, leaving Israel with defensible borders, might be thinkable.

[Steve0113]

do we have enough tomahawk missiles to clear the path for our air fighters?

Probably not (thanks to x42), but we don't need them. Guided bombs dropped from high altitude can accomplish the same thing, and much more cheaply.

[PA Engineer]

I pray that he keeps a low profile for the next week.

[P8riot]

I think he went back home to momma.

[A. Pole]

the term "crystal clarity" suggests they're describing diamonds, not dried fruit

You may be right; but even that, I suspect, would drastically cut down on the suicide pilot recruitment...a diamond cannot provide perpetual, ahem, service (cough) in Paradise.

You are cruel. First raisins instead of virgins and now DIAMONDS? You cannot eat hard diamonds!

[ellery]

smile. No worries:-)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

It was Neidermeyer's horse...in Wormer's office.

Good call, all the same.

[nfldgirl]

(from gladiator) ...and on my signal, unleash Hell.

(from gladiator...with a twist)
Netanyahu to Sharon (regarding the Palestinians): A people should know when they are conquered!
Sharon to Netanyahu: Would you, B.B.? ... Would I?

[nocommies]

true, but tomahawks make the skies infinitely safer for our folks flying the fighter jets. no reason to send our air fighters into unneccessary dangers. iraq has inferior air defenses, but what about syria and iran? we cant do it all with stealth fighters.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Bomber hits Israeli hotel, scores of casualties

 (Updates casualty figures, adds Israeli reaction) 
    JERUSALEM, March 27 (Reuters) - A Palestinian suicide bomber 
blew himself up in a hotel in the Israeli coastal resort town of 
Netanya on Wednesday, killing 15 people and wounding about 80, 
Israeli television and witnesses said. 
    Witnesses in the chaotic immediate aftermath said they saw 
up to 12 bodies from the attack, which coincided with an Arab 
summit in Beirut where Saudi Arabia presented a plan for peace 
between the Arab world and Israel. 
    In a first reaction, an Israeli government spokesman laid 
the blame for the blast on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, 
currently bottled up by Israel in his West Bank headquarters. 
    "Arafat is to blame for the violence that emanates from the 
territories under his control," said spokesman David Baker. 
    "It is clear the Palestinians are bent on using everything 
at their disposal for killing and maiming as many Israelis as 
possible anywhere, anytime." 
    The Palestinan Authority had no immediate reaction. 
    Palestinian militants have staged a series of bombings in 
Israel since launching an uprising against Israeli occupation 
some 18 months ago, killing and wounding scores of people. 
    Wednesday's attack occurred shortly after Jews began 
celebrating the week-long Passover holiday at sundown and 
Israeli security forces had been on red alert for attacks, 
although synagogues had been considered the most likely target. 
    Israeli Channel 2 television said a man with a bag had 
entered the lobby of the hotel past a security guard and then 
detonated his load near a dining room. 
    "A suicide bomber walked into the lobby of the Park Hotel in 
Netanya and blew himself up," a police spokesman told Reuters. 
 Television footage showed the lobby of the seaside hotel all 
but devastated. Witnesses said the blast flung debris everywhere 
and wires were seen hanging crazily from the ceiling. 
    Victims were carried away on stretchers to ambulances with 
red lights flashing and sirens wailing. Gun-toting policemen and 
soldiers milled among the stricken crowd. 
    ((Jerusalem newsroom, +972 2 537 5052, 
jerusalem.newsroom@reuters.com)) 
 
27 MAR 2002 18:53:09

[P8riot]

I think I spoke too soon. I hate it when that happens.