Bomb Attacks in London and Middle East: A Rekindling of Violence

Strategic Insights -

A series of car bomb attacks in the past 10 days has sent a deadly reminder that the war in the Middle East is far from over, with the latest attack occurring in London, where a car bomb exploded outside the offices of the Joint Israeli Appeal, injuring five people. The attack was only 12 hours after another car bomb damaged the Israeli embassy in London, injuring 14. This escalation in violence, combined with bomb attacks against Jewish targets in Argentina and Panama that left about 120 dead, has made it clear that, while Israel may have made new allies of Jordan and the Palestine Liberation Organization, other factions in the Middle East are not yet ready for peace with the Jewish state.

Key Takeaways:

  • Five people were injured in the car bomb attack outside the offices of the Joint Israeli Appeal in London, following a similar attack that damaged the Israeli embassy in London, injuring 14.
  • The attacks have been attributed to militant Islamic groups, particularly Hezbollah, which has been accused of carrying out the attacks to send a message to Israel that it is still capable of inflicting damage.
  • Senior government officials in Israel have expressed concern that the attacks are only the tip of the iceberg and have ordered a state of high alert at all Israeli installations around the world.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has stated that he has "no doubt" that the number of deadly attacks will increase, with the aim of fostering support for a punitive attack on whomever is responsible.
  • No known organization has taken responsibility for the attacks, but fingers have been pointed at Hezbollah, which has a history of opposing Israel's peace efforts and has been involved in several violent incidents in the past.
  • The attacks have sparked concern in Lebanon, with the government dispatching 25,000 troops to southern Lebanon to rein in Hezbollah and appeals to Israel to withdraw its forces from the country in order to avoid another devastating conflict.
  • Despite the attacks, the peace process between Israel and its Arab neighbors continues, with Israel's agreement with the PLO under Yasser Arafat and its recent pact with Jordan widely praised in Israel.
  • The attacks highlight the ongoing threat of terrorism in the Middle East and the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to prevent further violence.

Statistics:

  • Five people were injured in the car bomb attack in London.
  • 14 people were injured in the car bomb attack that damaged the Israeli embassy in London.
  • About 120 people were killed in the bomb attacks against Jewish targets in Argentina and Panama.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has stated that he has "no doubt" that the number of deadly attacks will increase.
  • 25,000 troops have been dispatched to southern Lebanon to rein in Hezbollah.

Sources:

  • "Middle East terrorism is again being played out on the streets of London," said Paul Condon, head of London's police force.
  • "If it was Hezbollah (that carried out the London and South American bombings), I think it's because they are trying to send Israel a message that 'whatever you can do, we can do better,' " said Clinton Bailey, a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
  • "They are the only ones who operate on this scale and in this style," said Bailey.