DATE=8/19/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / BOMBING (S UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-306652

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES CR 2-306647 ///

INTRO: The Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, has condemned a suicide bombing in Jerusalem on Tuesday that has killed at last 20 people and wounded more than one hundred people. The militant Palestinian group Hamas has claimed responsibility for the explosion, but Mr. Abbas urged Israel not to launch any military retaliation, saying this could further harm peace efforts. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Mr. Abbas described the bombing as a "horrible act" and condemned it.

He expressed his sorrow to the families of the victims of the attack, many of whom were Orthodox Jews who were traveling home by bus after prayers at the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site in Jerusalem's Old City.

Mr. Abbas said he hoped Israel would act "wisely" and refrain from launching any military response, saying that this, in his words, "will not be in the interest of the peace process."

Following the blast, Israel announced it was suspending the planned handover of four West Bank cities to Palestinian security control. Israel also said it was freezing all contacts with the Palestinian Authority.

The militant group Hamas, which frequently carries out suicide bombings, said it was responsible for the explosion. The organization released a video of a Palestinian man who identified himself as a Hamas activist and said he was the bomber.

Earlier, another militant group, Islamic Jihad, which also carries out suicide bombings, said it was behind the attack. Israeli officials are investigating the possibility that the groups jointly planned the bombing.

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