For Immediate Release

March 23, 2011

Toronto, ON – The Canada-Israel Committee, on behalf of the CIJA agencies, strongly condemned today’s bombing in downtown Jerusalem. Reports indicate that one woman was killed, and at least 20 people were maimed in the attack, including five in serious condition and two in critical condition. The attack comes in the context of an increasing barrage of missiles from Gaza into southern Israel and a recent massacre of an Israeli family, including three children, in Itamar.

“Our thoughts are with today’s victims and their families, and we wish the injured strength in the long road to recovery,” said Moshe Ronen, Chair of the CIC. "Extremists in the West Bank and Gaza are cynically trying to provoke Israel into a military response that will no doubt be used as an excuse by the Palestinian leadership to continue avoiding peace negotiations, and to further isolate Israel in the international arena.”

“Israeli and Palestinian children deserve a future of peaceful coexistence. And every day that Mr. Abbas refuses to meet with Israeli leaders further postpones peace and reconciliation,” said Steven Cummings, National Chair of CIJA. “Now more than ever, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas must accept Israel’s offer to negotiate a comprehensive agreement immediately.”