Palestinians outraged by bombings
West Bank clan loses 17 relatives Support for Israel attacks may wane
SILET AL- THAHER, WEST BANK—
In this Palestinian village yesterday, the Akhras clan mourned 17 relatives killed by a suicide bomber in Jordan.
“ Oh my God, oh my God. Is it possible that Arabs are killing Arabs, Muslims killing Muslims?” asked a weeping Najah Akhras, 35, who lost two nieces.
Similar thoughts were heard over and over in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as Palestinians expressed outrage over suicide attacks aimed at civilians. The bombings at three hotels in Amman on Wednesday night killed 59 people, including 27 Palestinians with roots in the West Bank. Among the victims were members of the Akhras clan attending a wedding, the West Bank’s intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Bashir Nafeh, a diplomat and a prominent banker.
For more than five years, Palestinian militants have carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel, killing hundreds of people, often with wide support from a public that believed the attacks were a justified response to Israeli military rule. But the mood has changed in recent months following a ceasefire with Israel, and the attacks could further sway public opinion against suicide bombings.
“ Palestinians have tasted the blind violence that does not differentiate between people — children, women, wedding parties, ordinary people,” said Palestinian newspaper commentator Hani al- Masri.
“I expect now a significant change in the Palestinian political culture. For sure, this attack will push Palestinians to reconsider this way of suicide bombings, and I think it would reduce support for attacks that kill people without any differentiation.” The Palestinian Authority declared three days of mourning. “ We condemn this attack vehemently,” said Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia.
In Silet al- Thaher, the Akhras family set up a house of mourning. The groom, 36-year-old Askraf, was a member of the clan. His father died in the bombing at the Radisson SAS, along with four cousins and two young nieces. Five people from the bride’s family, including her father, also were killed.
All the victims lived in Jordan, where their families had fled when Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast War, said another clan member, Saed Akhras.
Al Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the blasts. Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi predicted widespread animosity toward the terrorist group.