(Saturday, January 28, 2023) – The European Jewish Congress (EJC) condemns the deadly terrorist attacks in Jerusalem over Shabbat, one of which specifically targeted worshippers attending a synagogue on the Jewish day of rest.
“There is no political, military, or any other motive for targeting Jewish worshippers on Shabbat other than sheer hatred of Jews and the Jewish state. Attacking people on their way to prayer is a pure act of naked terror for people who hold no value for the sanctity of human life,” said Dr. Ariel Muzicant, President of the EJC.
On Friday evening, a Palestinian terrorist shot and killed seven people and wounded scores of others, some seriously, next to a synagogue in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Neve Ya’acov. On Saturday morning, a 13 year-old Palestinian gunman shot and seriously injured a father and son near Jerusalem’s Old City walls.
“When levels of hate reach the minds of children so that they regard murder of civilians as a warped act of resistance, we genuinely need to demand action against the texts and the methods of education which dominate the Palestinian school system. Some of the funding for these nests of hate comes from democratic countries including those in Europe. Educating to hate and murder must receive no funding and no assistance,” Dr. Muzicant said.
The European Jewish Congress sends its heartfelt condolences to the families of those murdered and to all our brothers and sisters in Israel at this time and our sincere wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.
“Our solidarity with Israel is unflinching. No acts of terror must be allowed to deny the continued peaceful celebration of a Shabbat in Jerusalem,” Dr. Muzicant said.
“We call on the international community to provide Israel with the necessary backing and support to ensure the safety and security of its people. Hate, violence, murder, fanaticism and antisemitism must never be allowed to succeed, not for the direct perpetrators but neither for their political masters in Ramallah and Gaza, nor for their supporters in the international community.”
