Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today condemned the recent acts of violence in Israel and expressed the hope that these would not derail the sincere efforts of all parties to implement the agreed roadmap for peace.

“The Philippines condemns the two suicide bombings in the Israeli town of Rosh Ha’ayin and outside the settlement of Ariel that killed two Israelis and injured over a dozen others.  We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims and hope for the early and safe recovery of those injured,” the Secretary said.

He added that he believed that Israel and the Palestinian authorities would not allow this terrorist attack to drive a wedge between their shared determination to achieve peace.

The Secretary also expressed concern over the recent shelling of Israel that cost the life of a young Israeli of 16 and wounded four other civilians in the town of Shlomi.

“We also deplore this attack on the Israeli town of Shlomi.  Such attack is even more detestable, coming at a time when the serious steps are being taken to obtain peace.  I believe that this attack represents a serious violation of the blue line and of Security Council's resolutions,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also said that the Philippines continues to fully support the agreed roadmap for peace and acknowledges the efforts taken by Israel and the Palestinian Authorities to implement it.  At the same time, the Secretary said, the Philippines recognizes that the parties face many difficulties and challenges but that the Philippines believes that important steps have already been taken by all parties and that these efforts should be maintained so as not to lose any more momentum. END.