In response to today’s deadly shooting in Jerusalem, which killed six people and wounded several more, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“We’re absolutely horrified and devastated by this attack. Our hearts are with the victims’ families as we hope for a full recovery for the injured. We’re grateful the attackers were stopped before more lives were taken. Hamas’ statement ‘welcoming’ this atrocity is grotesque and underscores why the group must never again hold power in Gaza.
At such a precarious moment, we also know that this attack risks triggering further chaos and bloodshed across Israel and the West Bank, which may be precisely what the attackers intended. Retaliatory violence and arbitrary crackdowns against those who had nothing to do with this attack will only risk more suffering and bloodshed for all.
In this moment of grief and pain, we call on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to work together to hold any other perpetrators to account and prevent further attacks and escalation. We reiterate our call for an urgent deal to bring hostages home, end the Gaza war and restore calm.
We must work to end this conflict now. To deliver security and freedom to all and prevent these horrors from being inflicted on future generations.”