The U.N. Security Council condemned the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv last week and urged Israelis and the Palestinians to negotiate toward peace. On the eve of a Middle East meeting in London, the council, in a statement on Monday, said such attacks undermined "the hopes and aspirations of the Israeli and Palestinian people as they seek a just, durable and peaceful solution." Five Israelis were killed and more than 50 were wounded in the blast last Friday that shattered a truce Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared on Feb. 8. "In light of recent positive steps taken by both sides and on the eve of important meetings in London, the council calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint," said the statement read by Benin's ambassador.
