FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Nathan Diament
202-513-6484

ORTHODOX UNION CONDEMNS TERROR ATTACK IN JERUSALEM; CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO “LOUDLY AND CLEARLY” CONDEMN ENVIRONMENT OF ANTI-ISRAEL INCITEMENT

In the wake of a terrorist attack at Jerusalem’s central bus station today, in which a bomb was planted by terrorists and exploded injuring more than twenty innocent Israelis, Dr. Simcha Katz, president, and Rabbi Steven Weil, executive vice president, of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – issued the following statement:

The Orthodox Union condemns today’s act of terrorism in which innocent Israelis going about the routines of daily life were targeted for murder. We share the pain of those who are suffering and we pray for their speedy and full recovery. We support Israel’s government and security services taking steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.

We also call upon the world’s leaders to loudly and clearly state that terror and murder of innocent Israelis is unconscionable, and that the propagation of hateful views toward Israel and Jews is unacceptable.

In recent days, this environment of incitement has been the context for renewed rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israelis, the heinous murder of adults and children in Itamar, and the attempt by Iran to smuggle more weapons of terror to enemies of Israel.

Leaders of the United States, European countries and the United Nations must be unequivocal in their condemnation of today’s terrorism and of the environment of incitement. When children are murdered in their beds and bystanders at bus stops are assaulted, there is no room for nuanced statements.

We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all her inhabitants.

The Orthodox Union has recently established a Victims of Terrorism Fund. To make an online donation, please visit: OU’s Victims of Terrorism Fund, select a gift amount and click the “Donate” button. To make a donation by mail, kindly send a check to the Orthodox Union at 40 Rector St, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10004. The check should be made out to the Orthodox Union with “OU’s Victims of Terrorism Fund” listed on the memo line.