Washington, Nov 29: US Secretary of State Colin Powell has condemned attacks against Israeli targets in Kenya and urged Palestinians to take "immediate and sustained steps to eradicate the infrastructure of terrorism and violence."
At least 12 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on the hotel crowded with Israeli tourists within minutes of an Israeli jetliner narrowly escaping a missile attack as it took off from the coastal town's airport.
Five Israelis were killed in an attack on a Likud polling station claimed by an offshoot of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist bombing earlier yesterday in the paradise hotel near Mombasa Kenya that killed at least eleven and wounded dozens.
Both Kenyans and Israelis," Powell said in a statement.
"We also condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist shooting at a polling station in Beit Shean in which three Israelis were killed and many more injured," he added.
He asked Israeli citizens not to let the attacks silence them as they go out to vote in primary election.
"We call on the international community to do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for committing or supporting these attacks." Bureau Report