Yesterday evening, shortly after the bombing in Tel Aviv, an announcement from the Fatah movement was published, according to which the military wing of the movement, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, took responsibility for the bombing. The announcement stated that the movement takes full responsibility for both the suicide bombings, which occurred one after the other, and guaranteed more suicide bombings in the near future.
Shortly after the announcement, certain factions from Fatah denied involvement of their members in the bombing. The movement said that after thoroughly inspecting name lists of its members, they learned that the names of the two suicide bombers were not included in these lists, neither had they ever been members. The movement also stated that “the timing of the bombing and its location verify that the organization responsible for the attack aims to derail the national talks in Cairo which are under Egyptian, Arab and international auspices, as well as to give our movement an inhumane reputation. This is achieved by murdering innocent citizens, which is contrary to our Arab and Muslim tradition.”
At the end of the announcement the movement delicately condemned the bombing: “The Fatah movement condemns this action and warns people not to make use of [the movement’s] name.”
The Palestinian Authority’s condemnation was slightly more forceful: “The [PA] harshly condemns the disgraceful terror attack in Tel Aviv, which caused the death of Israeli citizens as well as foreign workers.” The announcement also stated that the leadership of the PA “from a moral and political standpoint, and out of principle, informs that it has resolved to vigorously hunt down the perpetrators and the organizers of this action.” The PA called on Israel not to seek revenge for the attack and ended the announcement by stating that “[The PA] adamantly and vehemently opposes crimes against Palestinian citizens – men, women and children, as well as actions [aimed at destroying] infrastructure.”
As for the Egyptian stand on the matter; yesterday the Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmad Mahir, generally condemned all actions aimed against citizens and stated that this latest bombing was due to Israeli “provocation.” He added that “Israeli provocation is stirring up the atmosphere, shattering hope and causing despair which has led some people to carry out these actions…the Israelis must understand that if they continue with their current policy, it will only maintain violence and actions like the one that occurred today.”