At least three victims were killed and 15 others injured in a series of shootings that started near the Stadttempel synagogue in central Vienna on Monday night.
“These multiple and clearly coordinated terror attacks in central Vienna once again show the threat posed by Islamist terror organisations to European cities. We are appalled by this particular level of murderous hatred which seeks out as many victims as possible on the last night before Austria enforces a lockdown due the Coronavirus,” EJC President Dr. Moshe Kantor said.
“No place in Europe is immune to terror attacks, and no community exempt from these barbarous acts,” Dr. Kantor said. “The initial shooting outside the synagogue in Vienna brings back tragic memories for us as one of the first attacks on Jewish targets in Europe happened at this very spot almost 40 years ago. It reminds us that vigilance, commitment to fighting terror and assertion of our values is a constant necessity to rid Europe of this deadly scourge and it reminds us that terror targets us all.”
“We send our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and our prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. The Jewish communities of Europe stand in solidarity with the Austrian people at this tragic time,” Dr. Kantor concluded.
Also commenting on the attacks, the president of the Jewish community of Vienna (IKG), Oskar Deutsch said: “Our thoughts go out to the victims of the attack and their families. The proximity to our main synagogue strongly suggests an antisemitic motive of the Islamist attacker. But what the incident also shows is that antisemitism, which is inherent in radical Islamism, is not only a threat to Jews, but to all those concerned freedom, democracy and human values.”
