PM Lapid: Israel will ‘get to’ terrorists behind deadly twin bombings in Jerusalem
Hamas and Islamic Jihad welcome the attack: ' Natural response to the occupation'
Prime Minister Yair Lapid vowed that Israel will “get to” the terrorist behind a twin bombing at bus stops near Jerusalem on Wednesday that left left one killed and 22 people wounded.
Lapid said the terrorist attacks are “different from what we have seen in recent years. An extensive intelligence effort is now underway that will lead us to find these heinous terrorists, those behind them, and those who provided them with weapons.”
Scenes from Jerusalem today where twin bombings left 1 killed and 22 wounded. pic.twitter.com/EsUFYrLX5q
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) November 23, 2022
“I want to say to the citizens of Israel: We will find them. They can run, they can hide — it won’t help them; the security forces will reach them. If they resist, they will be eliminated. If not, we will punish them to the fullest extent of the law,” the outgoing prime minister said.
The first explosion happened at around 7am near a bus station at the Givat Sha’ul Junction, while the second explosion took place at around 7:35 near a bus station at the Ramot junction, another entrance to Jerusalem.
Hundreds attend the funeral of 16-year-old Aryeh Shtsupak who was killed in a terror bombing attack in Jerusalem this morning. https://t.co/FTXsC7F99G
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) November 23, 2022
16-year-old Israeli-Canadian Aryeh Shtsupak from Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighbourhood was identified as the person killed, and was later laid to rest where hundreds of people attended his funeral.
“He was a boy who never wronged anyone in the world, and he was murdered simply because he was Jewish. I also wish a speedy and full recovery to the wounded,” Lapid said in a statement.
Police but believe the explosions are a coordinated terror attack. According to various reports in Israeli media, Police suspect the explosions were caused by remote-detonated devices packed with nails.
Haaretz daily quoted the Head of the police operations saying the explosive charges were of “high quality” and that he believes the attacks were masterminded by an organisation and not lone wolfs.
Incredibly saddened to learn about the death of a young Canadian in the terrorist attack in Jerusalem. I’m sending his family and friends my deepest condolences. I’m also thinking of those who were injured. Canada condemns this violence in the strongest possible terms.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 23, 2022
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to do everything to “return security to all Israeli citizens, rapidly.”
“We still have a fight against cruel terror, which is again raising its head,” Netanyahu added.
United Hatzalah’s International Media spokesperson Raphael Poch told Jewish News that “We haven’t seen coordinated bombing attacks in many years. It is our hope that we aren’t returning to a scenario where this becomes a routine. Our volunteers, who come from all denominations of Israeli society, Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others, all worked together this morning to save the lives of those injured in these terrible attacks.”
“We were all shocked that bombings like this have plagued our city once again. We worked together with security forces in the area to provide assistance and we hope that these are isolated incidents that do not repeat. Everyone should be able to live their lives and go about their daily business without having to fear from these attacks,” he added.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog moved that Israel “will continue to stand strong and determined against hateful terror groups and despicable terrorists, and to prove there is no force in the world that will break the unified Israeli spirit.”
Hamas spokesperson Mohammad Hamada welcomed the attack, saying “The action conveyed the message to the occupation by saying that our people will stand firm on their land and cling to the path of resistance.”
“The coming days will be intense and more difficult for the enemy. The time has come for the creation of cells that are spread all over Palestine and are ready for a confrontation,” he added.
Islamic Jihad also hailed the attack, saying “The operation in the occupied city of Jerusalem is a natural response to the occupation, its terrorism, and its criminal practices against the defenceless Palestinian people and its holy sites.”
“The operation says to the leaders of the Occupation and the leaders of the settlers that none of the policies of your criminal government will protect you from the strikes of our people’s resistance.”
Incoming Public Security Minister, far-right leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, came to the scene of the explosions, telling media that “we need to form a government as soon as possible. Terror doesn’t wait.”
Religious Zionism party leader Betzalel Smotrich echoed Ben-Gvir’s call, saying the coalition parties should finish negotiations to deal with the security situation.
World reactions
British Ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, issued a statement saying he was “shocked by the terrorist attacks this morning. Our deepest sympathies to those affected and their families and friends. The UK stands with Israel against terrorism.”
I am shocked by the terrorist attacks this morning near Jerusalem, that killed one person and injured many others. Our deepest sympathies to those affected and their families and friends. The UK stands with Israel against terrorism.
— Neil Wigan (@FCDONeilWigan) November 23, 2022
The U.S. followed suit, condemning the attack while offering “all appropriate assistance to the Government of Israel as it investigates the attack and works to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We mourn the reported loss of life and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. The United States stands with the Government and people of Israel. As President Biden emphasised during his visit to Israel in July, our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and unbreakable,” a statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre read.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the “terrorist attack against civilians” in Jerusalem, adding that Ankara was concerned about the “escalation in Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
The European Union ambassador to Israel, Dimiter Tzantchev, said he was “horrified by the terror attacks in Jerusalem that killed one person and left many people injured, including some in critical and serious conditions. I express my deepest condolences to the family of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all injured. Terror is never justified.”
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.
