At Least Five Israelis Killed, More than 100 Injured by Rocket Fire from Gaza
Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (Orthodox Union), the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, expresses again its firm support for Israel’s defensive actions to thwart Iran-backed Hamas and Israel’s full right of self-defense as the terrorist group continues a third day of rocket attacks following Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) on Monday.
Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets from Gaza and fomented violence across Israel since then. At least five Israelis have been killed, and more than 100 injured by hundreds of rockets fired from Gaza. In response to these ongoing barrages, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have undertaken “Operation Guardian of the Walls” to protect the country and its citizens.
OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, speaking from Jerusalem, said:
“We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this terrible violence as Eretz Yisrael remains under attack for yet another night, yet another day. We pray for peace, we pray that Hashem give strength, wisdom, and effectiveness to the chayalim, to the soldiers of the IDF who defend the land, to do what needs to be done and to bring this to a quick end.”
Watch Rabbi Hauer’s video message here
OU President Mark (Moishe) Bane said:
“Israel’s enemies are committed to her destruction. They do not seek peace; in their own words, they seek to wipe Israel off the map. As Israelis are forced to endure sleepless nights and uncertain days in bomb shelters, neither will we fully rest until these attacks have ceased and our brothers and sisters in Israel safely return to their homes. We pray for the families of those who were killed and for the speedy recovery of all the injured.”
OU Executive Director for Public Policy Nathan Diament said:
“The Jewish state, like every other sovereign nation, has a right and a duty to protect its citizens from harm. We are heartened by the pledges of solidarity from the Secretary of State and senior White House officials, as well as bipartisan allies in the U.S. Congress, who have stated ‘unwavering support for Israel’s security and right to defend itself and its people.’ We call upon them – and all defenders of democracy – to remain stalwart in the coming days as Israel’s task of thwarting and overcoming terrorists will continue.”
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