Germany and the EU Condemn Bombing Attack in Tel Aviv

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier strongly condemned the deadly bombing attack in Tel Aviv over the Jewish Passover holiday on Monday. He further called on the new Hamas-led Palestinian Authority to disarm and dismantle terrorist groups.

"It would be a fatal start for the new government if it did not clearly and energetically respond to such acts of terror," added Steinmeier, who did not refer to the government's claim that the suicide attack was a legitimate response to Israeli "aggression."

The EU presidency issued a similar statement from Brussels, adding that such criminal terrorist acts undermine any attempts at a peaceful settlement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Abbas condemns attack

Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, did however, condemn the attack, which killed at least nine and wounded dozens of others in a fast food restaurant in a busy, working class district, noted the EU presidency. Abbas urged the Palestinian government to renounce violence in order to pave the way towards a peaceful solution.

The suicide bombing was carried out by a West Bank 21-year-old university dropout, who was sent by the Islamic Jihad, another terrorist faction, just hours before the new Israeli parliament was sworn in. But the Israeli foreign ministry, which does not distinguish among terrorist groups, holds Hamas responsible the attack, adding that the Palestinian Authority is encouraging such acts.

The democratically elected Abbas government has been facing increasing international isolation, with the EU halting financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority. The EU body and its individual member states transfer nearly 500 million euros ($605 million) annually to the government, though the European Commission cut off payment just last week.