Israel cancelled a security meeting with Palestinian officials planned for this evening after a Palestinian suicide bombing rocked central Jerusalem, killing three Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was to meet US envoy Anthony Zinni this evening to discuss US-led efforts to broker a truce after 18 months of Middle East bloodshed.
An Israeli source said Mr Sharon would convene senior cabinet ministers after his talks with Mr Zinni to discuss the latest attack in a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile the Palestinian Authority has condemned today’s suicide bombing and called for speedy implementation of a US ceasefire plan.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat said US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, had told Mr Arafat in a telephone conversation that suicide bombings could damage US envoy General Anthony Mr Zinni's quest for an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire.
Mr Arafat said the Palestinian Authority was committed to proposals made by CIA director Mr George Tenet and a commission led by former US senator Mr George Mitchell.
Speaking just before the suicide bombing, US President Mr George W. Bush expressed his disappointment with Mr Arafat to date. He said he was hopeful the Palestinian leader would make a maximum effort to end 18 months of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Today’s bombing has cast further doubt on the chances of Vice President Mr Dick Cheney meeting the Palestinian leader soon.
Mr Cheney said he was ready to go back to the region almost immediately to meet Mr Arafat if the Palestinian leader met US conditions, which include executing the Tenet cease-fire plan.