Suicide bombing in Eilat

The suicide bombing in Eilat is unique for several reasons: First, it is the first suicide bombing in Israel for 9 months, and since they are always trying, this shows how effective the Security Fence and the methods of the security forces have become. Second, it is the first suicide bombing in Eilat, that has been spared this type of attack mainly because it is isolated and hence easier to police. Even though this suicide bombing was planned for 7 months (according to the perpetrators), they were only able to attack a small local bakery, nowhere near the tourist center, and unfortunately kill the owners, an elderly couple, and their foreign worker. Even though it could have been much worse, this bombing was calculated to affect the tourist trade in Eilat, and no doubt will have a small effect.
Another interesting feature of this attack is that several Palestinian terrorist organizations claimed credit for it. This is supposed to enhance their prestige among the Palestinians while they are in the midst of a civil war. Notably Fatah did not claim credit and criticized the bombing, but blamed Israel for it (?), since according to their spokesman Israel's attacks (which ones) against Palestinian civilians (?) have given the terrorists justification for bombing Israeli civilians! And these are the "moderates' that we are supposed to be helping and with whom we are supposed to make peace!
According to Israeli sources, the bomber did not come from Jordan as claimed, but probably from Egypt. In Gaza it was revealed that the bomber was Mohammed Saksak, 19, whose mother said she was proud of him, and would willingly sacrifice her other sons for the cause. It is now easy to infiltrate Egypt across the Gaza border, and then to slip into Israel across the relatively open Egyptian Sinai-Israeli Negev border. Until now ca. 100 potential infiltrators ahve been caught by the security forces there. Apparently the Israeli driver who gave the bomber a lift deliberately dropped him far from the Center of town and called the police but it was too late.
The Israeli security forces are deciding whether or how to retaliate, since any response in Gaza might tend to unify the gunmen currently fighting it out. People are still being killed, and abducted there. On the other hand, not to retaliate gives the impression of weakness, both in Israel and among the Palestinians, and only leads to more attacks. If they know that their home is going to be destroyed and their parents and family made homeless, this does have some preventative effect against would-be suicide bombers. Today the IDF bombed a tunnel known to be used for smuggling.
The most insidious aspect of this attack is that it is most likely financed by Iran. It is known that Iran is smuggling money into Gaza and the West Bank to finance attacks against Israel. Further, the Iranians have taken over what was formerly mainly Saddam Hussein's function, of paying the families of suicide bombers for their death. It was up to ca. $25,000 per bomber until Saddam was overthrown. The Iranians are very supportive of bombings against Israel, but not to that extent. They are a bit cheaper.
On Sunday, the Cabinet approved the appointment of its first Arab member, Ghaled Mujadle, a Labor Party member and supporter of Defense Minister Amir Peretz. The only dissenter was Avigdor Lieberman, Head of the Yisrael Beiteinu faction. However, while Israeli Arabs are reportedly pleased with this development, it gains us no points with the Palestinians and their European supporters. Will they see this appointment and conclude that Israel is indeed a democracy, where the Arab minority have full rights? Never, they would never admit this even in the face of such clear evidence, even when we are taking suicide bombings, that they justify and blame on us. Mujadle at least condemned the bombing and said that it interferes with the possibility of peace.