Media Release on Suicide Bombing in Beer-Sheva, Israel

The South African Government expresses its outrage and condemnation at the suicide bombing in Beer-Sheva, Israel on Tuesday, August 31, 2004, which left 15 people dead and scores of others wounded.

It is the South African Government's view that no amount of violence will hasten the dawn of peace and security in the Middle East. Experience, on the other hand, has taught us that violence only begets counter-violence.

Such actions can only harm the just cause of the Palestinian people and thus increase the hardship on ordinary Palestinians. The South African Government calls on both Palestinians and Israelis to exercise restraint and do all in their power to ensure the full implementation of the Road Map and a return to unconditional negotiations.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082-990-4853

C/O Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

31 August 2004