Bahrain, UAE condemn 'terrorist operation' shooting in Tel Aviv

Bahrain, Turkey, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and others on Friday condemned the terrorist attack on Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street.

 Foreign Minister Yair Lapid welcomes Bahraini foreign minister Abdullatif Al Zayani to Israel (photo credit: BOAZ OPPENHEIM/GPO)
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid welcomes Bahraini foreign minister Abdullatif Al Zayani to Israel
(photo credit: BOAZ OPPENHEIM/GPO)

Bahrain on Friday condemned the attack that took place in Tel Aviv late on Thursday, describing it as a "terrorist operation" and offering condolences to the families of the victims and the Israeli government.

"We reiterate the Kingdom of Bahrain's position that opposes all forms of terrorism and violence no matter the motives and the justifications," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Later, the United Arab Emirates' embassy in Israel tweeted its condemnation of the attack, offering condolences to the families of the victims.

"Another murderous attack in Israel," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in Hebrew in a Facebook post. "Following the terrorist attack in the heart of Tel Aviv yesterday, France is on the side of the citizens of Israel more than ever."

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday condemned the terrorist attack on Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Street that saw three Israelis killed.

The killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians only leads to further deterioration, Abbas said, urging a return to stability amid Ramadan and the upcoming Passover and Easter holidays, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

However, Abbas further warned against Israeli settlers using the incident as an excuse to carry out attacks against Palestinians and warned against the dangers of continuing "repeated incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque and the provocative actions of extremist settlers everywhere."

The PA president is one of many prominent international figures to react to the attack.

According to Army Radio, The Turkish Embassy in Israel said: "We condemn the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv and are concerned about the increase in the number of [violent] events in recent times.  We send our condolences to the people of Israel." 

Chairman of the Defense Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee at the UAE Federal National Council roundly condemned the violence, saying, "The holy month of Ramadan is a month of worship and reflection, but the terrorists always chose Ramadan to kill innocent people. We as Muslim[s] should take a firm action against these terrorists."


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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the Thursday evening attack, labeling the perpetrators "cowards."

"In yet another heinous terrorist attack in Israel, cowards attacked normal Tel Aviv citizens enjoying the evening before Shabbat," Baerbock tweeted. "We mourn those killed and grieve with their families. Our thoughts are with the injured and with the emergency responders who are caring for them."

"My solidarity is with the people of Israel, who have every right to live their lives free from terror and fear," tweeted German Ambassador to Israel Susanne Wasum-Rainer. "We stand by your side."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement on Thursday following the terror attack in Tel Aviv. "Americans are, once again, grieving with the Israeli people in the wake of another deadly terrorist attack, which took the lives of two innocent victims and wounded many more in Tel Aviv," he said.

"Our hearts go out to the families and other loved ones of those killed, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the statement reads. "We are closely following developments and will continue to be in regular contact with our Israeli partners, with whom we stand resolutely in the face of senseless terrorism and violence."

US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted: “Horrified to see another cowardly terror attack on innocent civilians, this time in Tel Aviv. Praying for peace and sending condolences to the victims and their families. This has to stop!”

"[I am] appalled by another heinous attack this evening in Tel Aviv," noted UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland, adding that he "Deplore[s] the welcoming of this attack by Hamas; there is no glory in terror. These acts must stop now and be condemned by all."

"I strongly condemn the terrorist attack last night in Tel Aviv, this being the fourth terrorist attack in Israel since end of March," noted Swedish Foreign Minister Anne Linde. 

Dimiter Tzantchev, the European Union's ambassador to Israel, tweeted that he was "deeply worried" by the reports of the terror attack in Tel Aviv. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The EU stands with Israel."

"Appalled by the latest reports from Tel Aviv, where innocent people enjoying a Thursday night with friends and family were targeted by gunfire," remarked UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. "The UK stands with Israel and against this abhorrent violence."

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg tweeted that he was "deeply shocked by the reports of another heinous terror attack." 

He added: "In these dark hours we stand by the people of Israel."

"Poland in strongest terms condemns another deadly terrorist attack in Tel Aviv last night, which took the lives of innocent people," tweeted Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Łukasz Jasina.

"Attacks against civilians must stop immediately. We stand with Israel in these difficult days."

"Another shocking terror attack on innocent people, this time at Dizengoff St in Tel Aviv. It’s desperately sad to say it again: deepest condolences to the victims and their families and hopes that the injured recover quickly," tweeted Australian Ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths. 

The attack was the latest in a series of deadly attacks that began last month in Beersheba, Hadera and Bnei Brak. So far, 13 people have been killed in the attacks.

Reuters contributed to this report.