The Palestinian leadership and society have a responsibility to stop the next murderer, President Reuven Rivlin insisted while hosting a traditional Iftar meal for leading members of the Muslim community in Israel.
President Reuven Rivlin on Sunday night hosted a traditional Iftar meal marking the breaking of the day’s Muslim Ramadan fast, during which he charged that Palestinian leadership has a responsibility to stop the next terrorists attack against Israelis.
The event was attended by leading members of the Muslim community in Israel, including members of the diplomatic community, religious leaders, and senior Israeli officials. Also attending were the ambassadors to Israel of Jordan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and the Turkish Charge d’Affaires.
Rivlin related to the recent Palestinian terror attacks and of the need for the Palestinian leadership to speak out and act against the terrorists.
“I have just returned from the home of Hallel Yaffa, a beloved girl, just 13 years old, murdered in cold blood in her room, in her bed, and my heart breaks. Early today, I took part in the funeral for Michael Mark,” he shared.
“It is not possible that the Palestinian leadership and society can encourage or stand by idly in the face of such brutal and criminal terrorism. The Palestinian leadership and society have a responsibility to stop the next murderer. In these blood soaked days, not only have we not heard the voices of the Palestinian leadership in any form, worse still, we have heard voices who give assistance and support to the murderers and their families,” he charged.
“One who does not stop the terror which attacks us today, will find it at their own door,” Rivlin warned the Palestinians.
“We must not, as leaders, ignore the vitriolic and murderous incitement, not one of us can remain silent or fail to speak unequivocally,” he stressed.
He called on the guests to “stand side by side” during these “difficult times.”
“We must continue to courageously pave a joint path, to lay each brick for us, for our children, for the sake of their children. We have no other option. We do not want, and are not prepared, to give up our future; a future of partnership, of understanding, of mutual respect, of living in peace,” he concluded on a positive note.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel
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