The Rabbinical Council of America Condemns Palestinian Terror Attacks

The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading organization of Orthodox rabbis in North America, strongly condemns the terror attack in central Tel Aviv last evening and extends its condolences to the families of those brutally murdered in the Sarona Market.

The RCA joins all peace loving people in mourning the deaths of the four innocent Israeli victims: 41-year-old Ido Ben-Ari of Ramat Gan; Ilana Naveh, 39, of Tel Aviv; Professor Michael Feige, 58 of Givatayim; and 32-year-old Mila Mishaev of Rishon Letzion.

The RCA prays for the recovery of the 16 other victims who were injured in the attack, including three with serious wounds.

The RCA notes that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and in a statement released in his name “reiterates that there is no justification for terrorism nor for the glorification of those who commit such heinous acts.”

The statement added, “The Secretary-General is shocked that the leaders of Hamas have chosen to welcome this attack and some have chosen to celebrate it. He calls upon the Palestinian leadership to live up to their responsibility to stand firmly against violence and the incitement that fuels it.”

“This despicable attack on civilians took place even as Israel issued tens of thousands of travel permits to Palestinian civilians to allow them to celebrate Ramadan. As the Jews did at Sinai, we stand with our brethren ‘as one person and one heart’,” said RCA President Shalom Baum. “We urge all leaders throughout the world to work with Israel in its persistent battle against murderous terrorists and urge all parties to find political and diplomatic ways, through direct talks with Israel and the Palestinians, to resolve disputes.”

“We extend our appreciation to Israeli security forces who have thwarted dozens of attempted terror attacks in recent months. We also call on all leaders to condemn Hamas and its celebration of these murders and for its urging children to become terrorists” added Vice President Elazar Muskin.

We pray for the speedy recovery of all the wounded and urge synagogues to include the wounded in their prayers during the upcoming holiday of Shavuot.