QUICK, BLAME THE SHI'A:

Three arrested for Tel Aviv bomb (Associated Press, February 26, 2005)

Palestinian security forces have arrested at least three suspected militants in connection with a suicide bombing that killed four Israelis at a Tel Aviv nightclub, acting on orders from Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to track down and punish those responsible.

Palestinian security officials pointed to the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah, which has been trying to disrupt an informal Mideast truce, as the apparent mastermind of the attack. Abbas hinted at Hezbollah involvement, holding a "third party" responsible for the bombing. [...]

The bomber was identified as Abdullah Badran, 21, a university student from the village of Deir al-Ghusun near the West Bank town of Tulkarem. His parents said he was a devout Muslim, but had no history of militant activity.

The three main militant groups - Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - denied involvement, and none hung the customary posters of congratulations at the bomber's home.

The Palestinian interior minister, Nasser Yousef, said Palestinian security forces have arrested two militants in connection with the attack. Local security officials in Tulkarem said the two men have ties to Islamic Jihad, and that more arrests were expected.

Palestinian security officials had said they were investigating whether Badran was recruited by local militants from Al Aqsa, which has ties to to Abbas' ruling Fatah movement, at the behest of Hezbollah. Often, there is overlap and coordination between militant groups, particularly Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa.

Mr. Abbas' desire to deflect blame from Fatah and its allies is understandable, if transparently false.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 26, 2005 12:53 PM