The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed shock and dismay at news of a bomb blast near the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem earlier today, which resulted in loss of lives and caused injuries to numerous bystanders.
The Department emphasised that such a cowardly attack on innocent civilians going about their lawful business cannot but be condemned in unequivocal terms by all who value human life and who prize peace. Expressing sincere sympathy with the victims and their families, the Department urged that calm should prevail, particularly at this time when extremists of whatever persuasion may seek to destroy fragile progress in the Peace Process, which remains a prerequisite for the security of all in the region.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 6 NOVEMBER 1998