The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America expressed its outrage at the horrific terrorist bombing that took place in the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem today. “We are outraged and horrified at this bloody attack on Machane Yehuda, a place known to be crowded with Jews shopping for the Sabbath every Thursday,” said Mandell I. Ganchrow M.D., Orthodox Union president. “This constitutes another violent episode in the Palestinian campaign to target Israeli neighborhoods, both within the Green Line and without, by instilling fear and terror into the hearts of Israeli citizens throughout Eretz Yisrael.

“We condemn Palestinian Authority Chairman Yassir Arafat and the Palestinian leadership for orchestrating and escalating the unrelenting campaign of violence and terror. They continue to rely on ruthless and brutal attacks to advance their political agenda, betraying all promises and pledges to uphold the peace agreements that they signed.

“This particular tragedy has struck very close to the Orthodox Union. The Israeli woman who was one of the victims of this tragedy is the daughter of former Minister of Education Yitzchak Levy of the National Religious Party, Ayelet Hashachar, who leaves behind a three-year old child. We extend our deepest condolences to MK Levy and stand in solidarity with him and all the other families of the victims of this recent horrific spate of violent attacks on Israel. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people and the state of Israel during these difficult times.

May Hashem comfort them amongst all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.