The State of Israel sent a delegation headed by government minister Yuli Edelstein to New York to pay tribute to the thousands of victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Minister Edelstein laid a wreath at Ground Zero on behalf of all citizens of Israel.  (as reported in Yisrael Hayom)

Israel, as a close ally of the United States which has been fighting terror attacks for years, identifies closely with the emotions and struggles of the United States in the wake of the attacks. The following two quotes from Israeli Prime Ministers capture these sentiments:

Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sept 11, 2002:

“I recall one unforgettable image from that day: amid the sirens, destruction and smoke which engulfed the City of New York immediately following the collapse of the Towers, a camera lens captured the Statue of Liberty and her Torch, symbols of the spirit of America, standing steadfast. That image – perhaps more than anything else – expressed what I felt when I visited Ground Zero, and met with the security and rescue forces and the brave residents of New York.

While the attack did succeed in destroying buildings and lives, and in causing agony, grief and profound shock to millions of people, it failed to extinguish the spirit of freedom and the eternal flame of the Torch of Liberty – that spirit which beats in the hearts of all New Yorkers and indeed all Americans, and the spirit which was then and is now shared by all freedom-loving people…Israel, an embattled democracy, has been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. On this day, we stand together with the American people: we remember, grieve and will never forget.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 11, 2011:

“Both Israeli and the United States citizens share a fortitude which comes as a result of the confidence we have in our democracies…There is no greater bond between the United States and Israel than facing wild ideologies with no inhibitions regarding the use of violence against innocent citizens…There is something very powerful about this day for both Americans and Israelis…”

Reported by DOV LIPMAN for United with Israel.

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