Netanyahu: Stabbing attack that killed three incited by ‘wild hatred’
Israeli prime minister says Friday's multiple murders 'was an act of terrorism committed by a reprehensible person'
The attack on the West Bank settlement of Halamish that killed three members of one family as they sat at their Shabbat table “was an act of terrorism committed by a reprehensible person incited by wild hatred,” Benjamin Netanyahu said.
In a statement released shortly after the end of the Jewish Sabbath, Israel’s prime minister said that the country’s security forces would “take all necessary measures” to maintain security.
The three victims of the Friday night attack were named immediately after Shabbat as Yosef Salomon, 70, his daughter Chaya Salomon, 46, and son Elad Salomon, 36. Yosef Salomon’s wife, Tovah, 68, remains in serious condition following surgery after being stabbed several times during the attack. Her doctor told Ynet that she “remembers the entire incident well.”
Elad Salomon’s wife reportedly took their five children into another room in the house as the attack unfolded and called security for help.
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin in a statement issued Saturday night said: “At this difficult time our hearts go out to the bereaved family in Halamish, and to all the community there, after the incomprehensible loss they have endured last night. The difficult pictures, and the thoughts of the children who fled for shelter now dealing with the terrible news – it is truly heartbreaking.
Rivlin expressed his appreciation for Israel’s security forces, saying: “I know that we will show no tolerance for those who plot against us, and we will fight terrorism, mercilessly and without compromise.”
“This is the time for the whole free world to denounce terror and incitement, and join with the State of Israel in the war against terror and incitement. One who does not denounce terror is a partner to it, and has a hand in the deterioration of the whole region into a needless, bloody war, which no one wants,” Riviln also said.
Abed Aljaleel al Abed, the father of Omar al Abed, 19, the terrorist in Friday night’s attack, blamed Israel for his son’s attack.
“Our children are young and the occupation is responsible, not my son,” he said, according to the Jerusalem Post. “The occupation caused this attack after pressing on Al-Aqsa mosque.”
The attacker’s mother said in a videotaped statement: “Praise Allah, I am proud of my son. May Allah be pleased with him.”
The teen said in a Facebook post prior to carrying out the attack that he called his “last testament” that the situation at the Temple Mount inspired his planned attack.
Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Saturday from the site of killings called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the attack, a condemnation that was not forthcoming as of late on Saturday night.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
