7 dead in Jerusalem blast

A Palestinian suicide bomber disguised as a religious Jew killed seven people on a Jerusalem bus on Sunday, prompting Israeli Prime Minister...

A Palestinian suicide bomber disguised as a religious Jew killed seven people on a Jerusalem bus on Sunday, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to put off a White House trip to discuss a US-backed peace plan.

Another suicide bomber struck soon afterwards at a nearby roadblock but killed only himself, taking the overall death toll to nine in a new spasm of bloodshed. Wearing a skullcap and prayer shawl, the attacker blew himself up soon after boarding the bus. Police said seven people were killed and 20 hurt.

‘‘I was in the bus going to work when there was a blast. When I looked up, there was a woman in front of me dead, and a woman to my right dead. I saw a severed head on the floor. I only suffered bruises,’’ passenger Yizhak Shklar said.

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The Islamic militant group Hamas said on its website that it carried out the attack. Israel put ultimate blame for the attacks on Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, whom Washington is boycotting as an alleged orchestrator of violence. Arafat denies the charge.

Sharon met Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and then convened his Cabinet. Aides hinted at action to end what Israel sees as attempts by Arafat to undermine reform-minded Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas, who has vowed to try to halt violence.

‘‘(Sharon) wants to take care of the business before he goes to the United States. I believe the President of the United States will understand very well why we postponed this trip,’’ Gissin added. (Reuters)