BBC - Friday, 1 June, 2001, 22:25 GMT 23:25 UK

Israeli blast kills 15

At least 30 ambulances rushed to the scene of the blast

At least 15 people are reported killed and more than 60 injured in an apparent suicide bomb attack in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, according to Israel Radio, quoting police.

Islamic Jihad said they carried out for the blast, which went off outside a club on a beach in the city.

Witnesses said people were queuing up to enter the club when a suicide bomber made his way into the crowd and detonated himself.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oded Eran told the BBC that the Palestinian Authority must take the blame for the attack.

"The overall responsibility lies with the Palestinian Authority and its chairman, Yasser Arafat," he said.

He said the Palestinian Authority was "not raising a finger" to stop terrorist activity. He called on the international community to apply pressure on Mr Arafat to stop the violence.

The spokesman said he found it hard to believe that the Israeli Government would be able to "prolong its restraint" after the attack.

"I suppose that the government of Israel will be, as of tonight, under great pressure to do whatever it takes to indicate to the other side that life cannot go on like this and that steps have to be taken to ensure security," the spokesman said.

Packed

There are three clubs and many cafes in the area, which is always packed with young Israelis on Friday nights, at the start of the weekend.

Police blocked off the area, in case other bombs were placed there.

About 30 ambulances arrived at the scene and are taking the injured to hospitals in the Tel Aviv area.

A witness who arrived at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where the injured were brought, said he saw dozens of children hurt near the club.

"I was just there, I was in the next street over when the bomb went off. I saw dozens of kids lying there," he said.

Another witness was waiting to go into the club.

"I saw people thrown backward," said Dudi Nachum, 21.

"I saw parts of a brain, things I have never seen before. It was terrible."

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001

Answers

Friday June 1 7:10 PM ET

Bush Calls on Arafat to Condemn Attack

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) urged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) to condemn ``the heinous terrorist attack'' in Israel on Friday that killed at least 17 people and said he should call for an immediate cease-fire.

``I condemn in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack ... there is no justification for senseless attacks against innocent civilians,'' Bush said in a written statement.

At least 17 people were killed and more than 30 injured by a suicide bomber at the entrance to a Tel Aviv nightclub in the worst attack against Israelis since a Palestinian uprising erupted eight months ago.

``I call upon Chairman Arafat to condemn this act and to call for an immediate cease-fire,'' Bush said.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001