Israel News for June 10, 2016
UN Responds
The UN Security Council last night condemned Wednesday’s deadly Tel Aviv terror attack and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
In a statement, the 15-member Council expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Israel, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the statement indicated.
“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,” it added.
The Security Council also reiterated that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon noted that the council statement was the first official condemnation of “terrorism” in Israel since the current wave of attacks began eight months ago.
He called the condemnation “an important and moral statement” and called on all countries to oppose “Palestinian incitement that directly leads to violent terrorism.”
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PA Responds
In a carefully worded statement released yesterday, the Palestinian Authority condemned terror attacks against civilians but failed to mention Wednesday’s terror attack in Tel Aviv.
The statement said that the PA, “reaffirms its rejection of all operations that target civilians from any background regardless of the justifications. Achieving a just peace and creating a positive climate is what (will) contribute to removing the causes of tension and violence in the region. Achieving peace requires everyone to stop taking any action that will increase tensions and resorting to violence.”
Meanwhile, Joint Arab List leader MK Ayman Odeh did refer to the Tel Aviv shooting itself when condemning “this horrific attack on civilians.”
He said, ”My heart goes out to the families. Harming innocents is always condemned; there is no and there can be no justification for shooting civilians in the street.”
But he also made sure to blame the government saying, “The government is only intensifying hate and violence. All Israeli and Palestinian civilians should be removed from this circle of horror and blood. We must fight together in a just way to bring an end to the occupation, (and usher in an era) of justice and peace for the two peoples.”
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TA Mayor Responds
Ron Huldai, the longtime Mayor of Tel Aviv responded to Wednesday’s terror attack by blaming it on Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
In an interview on Army Radio he said, “We are probably the only country in which another people is living under occupation without civil rights and the leadership is saying the situation will (make conditions ripe) in favor of an agreement.”
He said, “I know the reality and I know that courageous leaders need to aspire to take action and not just pay lip service. The fact that we are tolerating this misery will not lead to the change that needs to be made.”
Huldai concluded that, “You can’t hold people in a situation of occupation and hope they’ll reach the conclusion everything is all right.”
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Hard to Believe
Here’s a story that seems too incredible to be true, but it is. During Wednesday night’s terror attack in Tel Aviv, a policeman and his family who were at the scene ran back to their nearby apartment building. When they got there another man that they didn’t recognize ran inside with them. The cop’s wife asked him who he was, but he didn’t answer. He just asked for water, which she gave him. They tried talking to him but he didn’t respond, so they thought he was in shock from the attack.
The policeman grabbed his weapon and ran outside to join security forces responding to the attack. When he saw the terrorist who was captured by police, he realized that the man in his home was dressed the same way. Oh no.
The cop ran back home and subdued the terrorist who was sitting at his kitchen table. They called out for assistance. Unfortunately, one of the police officers who came to help accidentally discharged his weapon, lightly wounding the first cop.
And that’s how a bit of old fashioned hospitality led to the capture of the second terrorist.
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Shavuot 1925
Tens of thousands of Jews will pray at the Kotel during the upcoming holiday of Shavuot this Sunday, but the situation in 1925 was much different.
To watch a video of Jews praying at the Kotel in 1925, click here.
