We strongly condemn today’s terror attack in Jerusalem, reportedly claimed by Hamas, which killed an Israeli border officer and injured 14 pedestrians. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and we pray for the recovery of the wounded.
We are also especially alarmed because this attack comes on the heels of a similar event two weeks ago and a deepening pattern of violence in Jerusalem. Israeli and Palestinian leaders must act to calm the situation before it spirals completely out of control and avoid acts or words that will only serve to exacerbate tensions and spawn more bloodshed.
On the 19th anniversary of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination, we remember the dangerous consequences of political incitement. We reaffirm our call to Israeli and Palestinian leaders to abandon the rhetoric of blame and adopt the language of peace and coexistence.