Police Defuse Bomb Near Shultz Hotel
Police on Sunday defused a bomb near a hotel where Secretary of State George P. Shultz was staying after three explosive devices were detonated at bus stops in the Jerusalem area. No injuries were reported.
Israel’s Armed Forces radio quoted unidentified police sources as saying the bombs were planted by a guerrilla squad to demonstrate its opposition to any talks between Palestinians and Israel.
The defused bomb was discovered by a passer-by 100 yards from the King David Hotel where Shultz stayed during his visit in Israel. When the bomb was found, Shultz was half a mile away, giving Prince Minister Shimon Peres a final briefing before flying to Jordan.
Police detained 25 suspects for questioning about all four bombings, Israel radio said.
Two rival groups claimed responsibility for the bombings--the “Force 17” commando unit, which is allied with Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat, and a pro-Syrian breakaway faction of the PLO, which is opposed to Arafat.
The largest bomb went off near the Shaare Zedek Hospital on the northwestern outskirts of Jerusalem. The other two devices exploded at bus stops in areas west of the city.
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