"The groups behind this abominable act are doing their utmost to undermine the prospects of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East," said the Foreign Minister. "They are manipulating their own young people, who are sacrificing their lives in operations that randomly hit innocent people. Those responsible for such acts must be brought to account."

The Foreign Minister said that on a day like this, our thoughts go first of all to the victims and their families. "I have sent my condolences to Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and asked him to convey the sympathy and condolences of the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian people to the injured and to the families of those who were killed. They are, of course, the ones who are immediately affected, but in the broader sense the victims of such acts are everyone in the Middle East who desires, and deserves, a more peaceful life. At a time when the international community is more cohesive than it has been for a long time in its recognition of the need for a peaceful solution, such operations are the last thing we need if we are to succeed in stopping the appalling spiral of violence in the Middle East," concluded Foreign Minister Petersen.