NETANYAHU: PEOPLE OF ISRAEL GRIEVE WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE DEAD

TAMAR BEERI

Education Minister Naftali Bennett said that he has “instructed the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to prepare to assist the community in every possible way.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem September 5, 2018.. (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a comment on the shooting that occurred on Saturday morning during Sabbath services at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stating that “the entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead.”

A man opened fire on a Jewish community congregating for Shabbat services on Saturday morning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in modern US history, killing at least 8 people and injuring several others.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message Saturday evening saying that “The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead.”

“We stand together with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, we stand together with the American people in the face of this horrendous antisemitic brutality and we all pray for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” he continued.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett said that he has “instructed the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs to prepare to assist the community in every possible way.” Immediately after his comment, it was announced that he would be flying out to Pennsylvania that same night.

President Reuven Rivlin commented on the shooting, stating that he is “sure that the law enforcement agencies and the legal authorities in the US will investigate this horrific event thoroughly.”

Israeli Ambassador in the United Nations Danny Danon commented, as well. “We will stand together like a rock against hatred and against those who try to harm Jews all over the world.”

Dov Khenin, Knesset member for the Joint List, said, “I suspect the attack is an expression of the growth of dangerous antisemitism in American society — a part of the racist and violent wave during the presidency of Trump. A leadership that gives way to incitement.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev, while in Abu Dhabi with Israel’s judo team, said, “Once again, a murderous attack on a holy place and on a holy day.”

“I am certain that the US law enforcement authorities will put their hands on the abominable murderers and their agents and provide them with the full extent of the law,” she continued.

Head of the Zionist Union party Avi Gabay said that “a man who opens fire in a synagogue is not attacking reform, conservative or orthodox Jews. He is attacking all of the Jews.”

Chair of Yesh Atid Yair Lapid released a statement Saturday evening, too. “It is important to remember that these are the same good Jews who love Israel that the Israeli government told for years that they are ‘not really Jews’ in their opinion.”

“They are Jews in our opinion. If you are murdered for being Jewish, you are Jewish.”

Michael Wilner contributed to this report.

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