Moscow emphatically condemns new terrorist act in Israel

In Moscow they emphatically condemn the terrorist act perpetrated in the north of Israel on Wednesday, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko stated.

Russia "expresses condolences to the families of the killed and sincerely sympathises with those victimised," the diplomat said.

"The intentions of the forces which are hostile to peace in the Middle East are obvious - they are trying to thwart the efforts to normalize the situation in the region and to convene an international conference to this end," Yakovenko stressed. He also noted that the leadership of the Palestinian National Authority "emphatically condemns terrorism". At the same time in Moscow they deem it necessary to intensify the measures aimed at preventing terrorist acts. Yakovenko pointed out that, in particular, the reforms of the Palestinian security forces must serve the cause of struggle against terrorism.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that in Moscow they "understand and share the Israeli people's sentiments." At the same time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia calls upon the leadership of Israel "to display reserve and presence of mind and to work to put an end to the crisis by political means."