Israel received a boost of international solidarity as diplomats from Turkey, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, India, the US, Europe and the UN all condemned the Bnei Brak terror attack by a Palestinian gunman that claimed five lives.
“No one should have to endure such heartbreak,” US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted after the Tuesday night shooting in Bnei Brak.
Just now hearing reports of another attack in Israel, this time taking the lives of innocent people in Bnei Brak. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. No one should have to endure such heartbreak.
— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) March 29, 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned in a tweet “the horrific terrorist attack today in Bnei Brak, the third terrorist attack in Israel in a week. We send our condolences to the families of the victims of these tragic attacks. May their memories be a blessing.”
We strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack today in Bnei Brak, the third terrorist attack in Israel in a week. We send our condolences to the families of the victims of these tragic attacks. May their memories be a blessing.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 29, 2022
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan condemned the attack in a tweet as well. “We stand with our Israeli allies in the face of such barbarism.”
We are appalled by the terrorist attack tonight near Tel Aviv and stand with our Israeli allies in the face of such barbarism. This is the third such attack in eleven days. We have offered all relevant support to Prime Minister Bennett and his government.
— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) March 29, 2022
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meeting in Washington with Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy, expressed condolences as they discussed bilateral relations and regional security.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) said the attacks “have shaken a nation that has too often felt the pain of violence and unprovoked terror.”
Hoyer said last month in Israel that he ”visited with Israelis who have endured attacks from terrorist rockets and tunnels, and who continue to face the constant threat of shootings and stabbings in their cities and communities. Those who target the Jewish state and its people for terror do so because they are so filled with hatred borne from centuries of vile antisemitism.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah condemned the attack, as did Turkey, which has recently moved to repair its frayed diplomatic ties with Israel.
In a nod to the US and Israel, PA President Mahmoud Abbas issued a rare condemnation against the killing of Israelis, explaining that the deaths of both Palestinian and Israeli civilians would only lead to a deteriorating situation on the eve of the April holidays.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that “such acts of violence must be condemned by all,” and that “in the spirit of the upcoming religious holy days,” there must be “an immediate end to violence, which only serves to undermine the prospects for peace.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the EU also “strongly condemns the terror attack,” the “third such incident in one week. Attacks against civilians must stop. We stand with Israel at this difficult time. The EU remains firmly committed to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.”
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that “Israel can count on the support of France and on my total commitment to the fight against this scourge” of terrorism.
Romania’s Foreign Ministry said that Romanians stood “in solidarity” with Israel.
Germany said that “all who hold positions of responsibility and exert influence must roundly condemn these attacks so that the violence does not escalate further.”
Italy, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Serbia, Hungary, the United Kingdom, India and Canada also issued statements.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, who is visiting Israel, said that “it was shocking that terrorism was once again showing its ugly face,” and that his country “stands side by side with you. We are conducting this fight together.
Schallenberg spoke at a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
“We want to see a strong and secure Israel,” Schallenberg told Lapid.