Suicide Bomber Attacks Bus Carrying Israelis At Airport In Bulgaria

[News_Editor]

Suicide bomber attacks bus carrying Israelis at airport in Bulgaria < br />

2012-07-20 07:21:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

BURGAS, BULGARIA (BNO NEWS) -- A suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Israeli tourists at an airport in eastern Bulgaria on late Wednesday, killing six people and injuring more than 30 others, officials said.

The explosion took place outside of the Burgas airport in Bulgaria at around 5:30 p.m. local time, reportedly killing at least seven and injuring more than 30 people. However, the death toll could rise as some of the injured were reported in critical condition.

Bulgarian officials believe the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber using fake U.S. IDs, and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the attack was probably carried out by radical Muslims, suspecting Hezbollah and Hamas groups.

At least five people died at the scene while the rest of the casualties later succumbed to their injuries.

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the deadly bombing attack, according to his spokesman. The Secretary-General also expressed his condolences to the victims and their families, to the Governments and people of Bulgaria and Israel.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to offer his condolences and assistance following the terrorist act, strongly condemning the attack. Obama also pledged to stand with Israel in this difficult time, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-07-20

[phl]

Condolences to all killed and speedy recovery for the injured

[Steely Dan]

Sadly by the law of averages Iran and it's terrorist proxies were bound to succeed in murdering innocent civilians eventually. I am of the opinion Hezbollah are expecting reprisals for this judging by the rhetoric coming from Hassan Nasrallah.

[simple1]

Sadly by the law of averages Iran and it's terrorist proxies were bound to succeed in murdering innocent civilians eventually. I am of the opinion Hezbollah are expecting reprisals for this judging by the rhetoric coming from Hassan Nasrallah.

You are right on both of your points

[Jingthing]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

BTW, yes there DOES happen to be a Thailand connection to this news:

Israeli officials also stressed that the bombing resembled several recent attempted attacks on Israeli targets in India, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Kenya and Cyprus.

There are plenty of Israeli tourists in Thailand ... NOW.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing

[GiHadOrange]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

[geriatrickid]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

No, he doesn't. Bulgaria is a not involved in the Syrian civil war. You are aware that it is a civil war in Syria, right? That's what the IRC and the UN call it. The Syrian event involved Syrian vs. Syrian. The targets were combatants. The Bulgarian attack linked to the Iranians involved an unimplicated 3rd country (Bulgaria), and non combatants (Bulgarians and Israelis). Had the Syrian civil war participants attacked Syrian tourists on their way to a beach resort in Turkey you might have a point.

[simple1]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

And when has the Iranian government condemned terrorist attacks on civilians in western countries?

Edited July 20, 2012 by simple1

[folium]

This despicable terrorist attack is sadly typical of what terrorism is often all about. A soft target in a dysfunctional country (not Thailand this time but Bulgaria), with the aim of sparking an Israeli over-reaction, with the most disastrous being a lash out at Iran.

[Credo]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

And when has the Iranian government condemned terrorist attacks on civilians in western countries?

I think there has been a fair amount of condemnation about what's going on in Syria. But it's hard to keep up on all the violence in the country. Meanwhile in Bulgaria, there isn't quite so much terrorism to discuss. The press is also there.

But the topic seems to be about an act of terrorism against Israeli's in Bulgaria; not about events in Syria.

[GiHadOrange]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

No, he doesn't. Bulgaria is a not involved in the Syrian civil war. You are aware that it is a civil war in Syria, right? That's what the IRC and the UN call it. The Syrian event involved Syrian vs. Syrian. The targets were combatants. The Bulgarian attack linked to the Iranians involved an unimplicated 3rd country (Bulgaria), and non combatants (Bulgarians and Israelis). Had the Syrian civil war participants attacked Syrian tourists on their way to a beach resort in Turkey you might have a point.

His point was only about to condemn or not to condemn a suicide bomb attack.

So what had the UN said?

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he was alarmed by the intensifying violence in Syria, saying he "strongly condemns" the bombing in Damascus that killed the Syrian defense minister and President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law.

http://articles.chic...a-syrian-people

UN Security Council condemns Bulgaria terrorist attack against Israelis

Council members express 'deep sympathy' over attack, stress that states must ensure that measures are taken to combat terrorism; Iran not mentioned in the statement.The UN Security Council condemned Thursday in "the strongest terms" the terrorist attack against the bus with Israeli tourists in Burgas, Bulgaria.

http://www.haaretz.c...raelis-1.452371

and others?

EU condemns bomb attack in Syria

BRUSSELS - The foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU) Catherine Ashton on Wednesday condemned the suicide bomb attack in Damascus which killed three senior officials.

http://usa.chinadail...nt_15598384.htm

UK condemns Syria suicide bombing

The British government has condemned the killing of Syria's defence minister as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the attack in Damascas showed it was time for UN Security Council members to overcome their divisions on the conflict.

http://www.skynews.c....aspx?id=773297

.

China condemns Damascus bombing

China on Thursday strongly condemned a suicide bombing in Syria that killed senior regime officials and urged all sides in the bloody conflict to end violence.

"China opposes all forms of terrorism and violence and strongly condemns yesterday's bombing attack in Damascus," foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a statement.

http://www.nowlebano....aspx?ID=420660

Russia Condemns Killing Of Syrian Ministers

Russia’s foreign ministry has condemned the attack that killed three of the top ministers in Syria’s government in Damascus.

BBC reported that the incident was described as a “villainous crime” designed to lead to the “long-term destabilization of the situation in Syria.”

http://www.ibtimes.c...ters-russia.htm

[GiHadOrange]

Interestingly, Iran tries to suggest some kind of equivalence between Syrian rebels attacks on their murderous regime's military officials (close ally of Iran) and a terror attack on young Israeli tourists.

The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Ali Larijani, criticized the United States for not condemning the bombing in Damascus on Wednesday that struck at President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, killing three senior defense officials. “By not condemning the assassination in Syria, the Americans show that they believe in good assassinations and bad assassinations,” he said, according to the Fars news agency.

http://www.nytimes.c...&pagewanted=all

He has a point.

And when has the Iranian government condemned terrorist attacks on civilians in western countries?

Believe it or not, they did it. Same as any official and spokesperson for any other nation will release statements that condemn terrorist attacks of this kind. Thats the diplomatic protocol and etiquette.

Iran on Thursday rejected accusations by Israeli leaders that it was responsible for a bus bombing in Bulgaria on Wednesday in which five Israelis were killed, saying it condemns all terrorism.

“Iran’s position is to condemn all terrorist acts in the world,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told Iranian Arabic-language television station al-Alam, according to a report published by Saudi news channel al-Arabiya.

“The Islamic republic, the biggest victim of terrorism, believes terrorism endangers the lives of innocents... is inhumane and so strongly condemns [it],”Mehmanparastwas quoted as saying.

http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/iran-denies-responsibility-for-bulgaria-terrorist-attack-1.452285?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.217%2C

[koheesti]

And when has the Iranian government condemned terrorist attacks on civilians in western countries?

Believe it or not, they did it. Same as any official and spokesperson for any other nation will release statements that condemn terrorist attacks of this kind. Thats the diplomatic protocol and etiquette.

Iran is probably one of the first countries to release statements of condemnation - since they likely had prior knowledge of any attack and had their statement already written.

[Jingthing]

We don't have to be too naive about the political implications of all this. There is already a "soft war" between Israel and Iran so war morality comes into play. The bus attack fits into the context of this existing situation.

Israel is behind targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. Morally wrong? Most would say yes. But the targets are targeted to a military goal. As bad as blowing up a bus of tourists? Most would say no.

Iran's very close friend is the current Syrian regime which is murdering it's own people. What the Syrian regime is doing morally wrong? Most would say yes.

Syrian rebels fighting back and targeting military regime targets? Morally wrong? In a war context, most would say no.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing

[GiHadOrange]

And when has the Iranian government condemned terrorist attacks on civilians in western countries?

Believe it or not, they did it. Same as any official and spokesperson for any other nation will release statements that condemn terrorist attacks of this kind. Thats the diplomatic protocol and etiquette.

Iran is probably one of the first countries to release statements of condemnation - since they likely had prior knowledge of any attack and had their statement already written.

By that logic it rather seems that Israel has that prior knowledge or how can it be that they came up so quick with someone to blame?

Its more likely the work of a lone lunatic who did it for whatever reason.I doubt its state sponsored terrorism. If Iran is building atomic bombs as alleged i would expect that their alleged long arm in the proxy war against Israel would come up with something that is a more sophisticated plot.

[Exsexyman]

We don't have to be too naive about the political implications of all this. There is already a "soft war" between Israel and Iran so war morality comes into play. The bus attack fits into the context of this existing situation.

Israel is behind targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. Morally wrong? Most would say yes. But the targets are targeted to a military goal. As bad as blowing up a bus of tourists? Most would say no.

Iran's very close friend is the current Syrian regime which is murdering it's own people. What the Syrian regime is doing morally wrong? Most would say yes.

Syrian rebels fighting back and targeting military regime targets? Morally wrong? In a war context, most would say no.

If you believe that the conflict in Syria is between 'goodies v baddies' then you are the naive one. How about the Christians and other non believers who are being targeted by the foreign backed and armed Islamic fundamentalist terrorist "rebels". Are they military targets? The situation in Syria is the culmination of 8 or 9 years investment in regime change there by our friends in Langley Virginia. A cease fire will never be acceptable to them, it is regime change or bust. The well being of the average Syrian comes a very poor second to this.

[Scott]

Here's the topic title for those who don't seem to have the time to read the OP and stay on topic:

Suicide bomber attacks bus carrying Israelis at airport in Bulgaria

[coma]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

[koheesti]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

Unexpected location with a relatively low level of security.

Now, more regular people in Bulgaria will be forced to submit to all kinds of crazy security measures for the foreseeable future thanks to some terrorist asshol_e.

Edited July 20, 2012 by koheesti

[coma]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

Unexpected location with a relatively low level of security.

Now, more regular people in Bulgaria will be forced to submit to all kinds of crazy security measures for the foreseeable future thanks to some terrorist asshol_e.

" Unexpected location with a relatively low level of security".

You right about that ? Be interesting to see if any organisation claims responsibility ?

[Exsexyman]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

According to the BBC today the main suspect was a white, long haired Caucasian with a forged US driving licence. Of course this didn't stop Benjamin Netanyahu immediately blaming Iran. Desperately wishing it to be Iran and selling this to the World to further his agenda there, and it actually being Iran, are of course two entirely different things. Reminicent of the immediate aftermath of the atrocity in Sweden, where many people, including many of the usual suspects on here, immediately backed the wrong horse and ended up with egg on their faces when the perpetrator turned out to be a white skinned nutter with political views more in common with their own!

[Jingthing]

The Israelis were targeted in Bulgaria because there are lots of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria and they are a soft target in a county with less than stellar security.

The same reason Israeli tourists are under threat in Thailand.

BTW, apparently the suicide bomber was named Medhi Ghezali, a Swedish national of Algerian descent, formerly in Guantanamo. Too bad they let him go. Hezbollah operatives (Iran proxy) can be of many different nationalities or races.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

The Israeli and American reaction is that YES Hezbollah (an Iran proxy) is behind this barbaric targeted terrorist attack on innocent Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. I happen to agree with that interpretation.

The suicide bomber who attacked Israeli tourists in Bulgaria earlier this week was an Hezbollah operative, U.S. officials told the New York Times late Thursday, adding that the bombing was ordered by Iran in order to avenge assassinations targeting its nuclear scientists.

...

Netanyahu said Iran and Hezbollah were responsible for a number of attacks and attempted attacks against Israeli targets, in Thailand, Georgia, India, Greece, Cyprus and other countries.

On Thursday, in what seems like the first confirmation of Israel’s suspicions concerning the source and perpetrator of the attack, U.S. officials told the New York Times that the man identified the suicide bomber was a member of a Hezbollah terror cell.

One official speaking to the U.S. daily said that current assessments were that the bomber acted “under broad guidance” to strike Israeli targets when possible, and that guidance for the operation was provided by Tehran.

http://www.haaretz.c...ntists-1.452410

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing

[coma]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

According to the BBC today the main suspect was a white, long haired Caucasian with a forged US driving licence. Of course this didn't stop Benjamin Netanyahu immediately blaming Iran. Desperately wishing it to be Iran and selling this to the World to further his agenda there, and it actually being Iran, are of course two entirely different things. Reminicent of the immediate aftermath of the atrocity in Sweden, where many people, including many of the usual suspects on here, immediately backed the wrong horse and ended up with egg on their faces when the perpetrator turned out to be a white skinned nutter with political views more in common with their own!

IMO Benjamin Netanyahu shows the traits of a person suffering from obsesive compulsive disorder. He cannot be trusted. His whole MO is to kill as many muslims as possible to avenge his brothers death. He will listen to no reason if it comes from Arabs.

[Jingthing]

A similar attack was apparently recently thwarted against Israeli tourists in Cyprus. I don't think it is fair at all to say it is a huge shock for Israeli tourists to be targeted in Bulgaria, Thailand or anywhere else Hezbollah can get to in this current soft war environment.

You know, you can detest Netanyahu and he can ALSO still be right about the threat to Israelis from Hezbollah (Iran proxy). What's next? Are people going to say the bus attack was a false flag Israeli operation?

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing

[coma]

The Israelis were targeted in Bulgaria because there are lots of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria and they are a soft target in a county with less than stellar security.

The same reason Israeli tourists are under threat in Thailand.

BTW, apparently the suicide bomber was named Medhi Ghezali, a Swedish national of Algerian descent, formerly in Guantanamo. Too bad they let him go. Hezbollah operatives (Iran proxy) can be of many different nationalities or races.

Really ? Another ex- GITMO detainee back on the battlefield killing people.? Bet we won't hear a condemnation of the US by Benjamin Netanyahu for cutting him loose. Just stick to his ignoranus attributes of blaming his self percieved enemies as usual.

[Jingthing]

The Israelis were targeted in Bulgaria because there are lots of Israeli tourists in Bulgaria and they are a soft target in a county with less than stellar security.

The same reason Israeli tourists are under threat in Thailand.

BTW, apparently the suicide bomber was named Medhi Ghezali, a Swedish national of Algerian descent, formerly in Guantanamo. Too bad they let him go. Hezbollah operatives (Iran proxy) can be of many different nationalities or races.

Really ? Another ex- GITMO detainee back on the battlefield killing people.? Bet we won't hear a condemnation of the US by Benjamin Netanyahu for cutting him loose. Just stick to his ignoranus attributes of blaming his self percieved enemies as usual.

Excuse me but it wasn't the US government that just blew up a bus filled with beach going tourists.

[Morch]

Has anybody any legitimate ideas as to why Bulgaria is the place to conduct such an operation ?? Islamists are the minority of only 10% of the population?

This is not an Syrian or Iranian MO.

Unexpected location with a relatively low level of security.

Now, more regular people in Bulgaria will be forced to submit to all kinds of crazy security measures for the foreseeable future thanks to some terrorist asshol_e.

Not that surprising, really. After relationship with Turkey soured, Burgas received quite a boost as a low cost holiday destination for Israelis. The flight was chartered, and therefore security measures were not as strict as with Israeli airlines, or major international ones.

Seems like there was at least one warning of a similar attack in the past, but hard to say, as not a lot of details available.

[simple1]

The Swedish secret service and Bulgarian officials have denied that Mehdi Ghezali was the suicide bomber who killed five Israeli tourists and two Bulgarians in a bus explosion yesterday, the Times of Israel reports.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mehdi-ghezali-2012-7#ixzz219u7fPWI

[Jingthing]

The Swedish secret service and Bulgarian officials have denied that Mehdi Ghezali was the suicide bomber who killed five Israeli tourists and two Bulgarians in a bus explosion yesterday, the Times of Israel reports.

Read more: http://www.businessi...7#ixzz219u7fPWI

I'd say his actual name, ethnicity, and nationality is a trivial detail compared to whether he was Hezbollah or not. Given the success of his attack he definitely was NOT acting without a support organization.

BTW, coincidence or not that this terror attack on Israeli tourists occurred 18 years later to the DAY of the massive terror attack on civilian Jews in Argentina which was later PROVEN to be done by IRAN?

Edited July 20, 2012 by Jingthing