Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema condemned the first suicide bombing in Israel in a year on Monday, calling it an attempt by extremists to ''feed a spiral of violence''.
D'Alema voiced the government's ''solidarity'' with the Israeli government after the ''barbaric'' attack in the southern Israeli town of Dimona.
The attack by a Palestinian killed a woman at a shopping centre in the town. Police said they prevented a worse toll by shooting dead another bomber before he could trigger a second blast.
''The unacceptable terrorist act carried out today is a tragic demonstration of the need for everyone really committed to peace to redouble efforts,'' D'Alema said.
There were conflicting reports on who was responsible for the attack, which came a few weeks after Israel and the Palestinians resumed peace talks opposed by Palastinian militant group Hamas.
