J Street is horrified by yesterday’s terror attack in the city of Elad in central Israel, in which axe-wielding terrorists killed three people and wounded four others.

This attack, like several others that have targeted civilians throughout Israel in recent months, is extremely disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these violent attacks which terrorize innocent people, leave families mourning the loss of their irreplaceable loved ones, and risk sowing more fear and hatred in a conflict that has already seen far too much of it. There can be no justification for such violence, which does nothing to aid or advance the cause of Palestinians.

We fervently hope that this surge in terror will soon come to an end. In this terrible moment, our thoughts are with the victims of yesterday’s terrible attack, their families and communities, and all those living in fear of further violence.