The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America is outraged by the terrorist bombing in the heart of Tel Aviv that took place in the middle of the morning rush hour near the Great Synagogue on Allenby Street, in the center of a bustling commercial district.

This terrible attack has left at least 21 people injured, some of them seriously, including a woman who lost a leg and a 17 month old baby who was hurt. This vicious attack comes on the heels of the pronouncement of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, Moslem Hamas leader, who said at a rally in Gaza that the group would attack Israel in retaliation for the US cruise missile strikes in Sudan and Afghanistan.

This incident, the latest in a long list of deadly activities, drives home the need to confront and battle terrorism globally. Those who perpetuate these atrocities in the name of their extremist philosophies use these murderous deeds to further their political agendas.

As we have done in the past, the Orthodox Union continues to call upon world bodies and governments to shore up the continual battle against the terrible scourge of terrorism.

This tragedy as well as the recent bombings that occurred in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam underscore the need for international counterterrorism legislation and increased resources to help support the fight against this violence. It is crucial that the international community gather together and demonstrate unequivocally that it will not tolerate states or groups that support, sponsor, export and commit terrorist acts.

This Tel Aviv bombing, that follows so quickly on the heels of the bombings in East Africa, unfortunately sends the clear message of the absolute need to strengthen the fight to eliminate terrorism.