Israelis light candles at Zion Square in Jerusalem in solidarity with the victims of the Orlando shooting attack. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
Hundreds of Israelis gathered in impromptu demonstrations of solidarity in the squares of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and many lit candles in honor of the victims. Israel’s leaders were quick to express sympathy with the American people and sent condolences.
Israel’s leaders conveyed their condolences to the American nation in wake of the terror attack carried out by an Islamic State (ISIS) sympathizer in an Orlando nightclub on Sunday in which at least 49 people were massacred and another 50 were wounded.
“On behalf of the people and government of Israel, I extend our deepest condolences to the American people,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
“Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the United States at this moment of tragic loss,” he added, while sending Israel’s “heartfelt sympathies” to the families of the victims and wishing a “full and speedy recovery” to the wounded.
President Reuven Rivlin sent a letter to President Obama to express his condolences following the attack, writing that “once again we feel the pain of terrible loss as we see the blood spilled of young and innocent people. There is no comfort for those who have had their loved ones torn away from them.”
Rivlin said the attack is ”cowardly as it is abhorrent.”
“The Israeli people stand shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers and sisters in the moral and just fight against all forms of violence and hatred. On behalf of all of Israel, I send my condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured” Rivlin wrote.
Leader of the Israeli opposition Isaac Herzog also expressed his sympathies to US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, in the wake of the massacre. “The Zionist Union [his political party], and myself, send heartfelt condolences to the American people,” the Labor Party chief said in a statement.
“The forces of hatred, violence and murder, as manifested in this heinous terror attack, must be fought against with all our might. Our two nations will continue to do so in close cooperation, based on our deep friendship.”
In an expression of solidarity, Tel Aviv’s city hall lit up with the colors of the American flag and that of the LGBT community following the massacre.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel and TheTower.org