With profound sorrow and grief, The Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) — Igud HaRabbonim, with a membership of over 950 Orthodox Rabbis across the United States and Canada — extends its boundless expression of support and solidarity to the victims, their families, and the survivors of the brutal, horrendous terrorist attack that took place over a span of 36 hours where Israel suffered from a barrage of over 600 rockets and mortars fired indiscriminately by terrorists in Gaza. This attack comes from civilian areas in Gaza and is aimed at civilian centers in Israel, demonstrating once again a cynical disregard for the lives and futures of the people of Gaza as well as those of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other residents of Israel. Tragically, the sole aim of these terrorists is to kill, maim and terrorize citizens of Israel. These actions by Hamas and Islamic Jihad are simply unconscionable. No nation on Earth can tolerate this wanton act of war against civilians.
It is inconceivable to imagine rockets falling on Washington, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Bern or Lisbon today without an appropriately strong reaction. Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, affirms once again Israel’s right to defend itself as a democratic, sovereign nation and urges all peace-loving people to condemn terrorism and cold-blooded murder for what it is. These cowardly terrorists do not value democracy, freedom, human life, or the rule of law. These cold-blooded murders have a total disregard for human life.
The Rabbinical Alliance of America calls upon all people of goodwill to unite in prayer beseeching our Creator for His protection and to increase in acts of charity and loving-kindness to help heal our fractured world. We must gather together in prayer and good deeds to thwart this cowardice and hatred that wishes to destroy all that is good in this world. Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hechtt, Chairman of the RAA presidium, asks all member rabbis to call for additional prayers to be recited immediately at all prayer services for the healing of the injured.
May He who makes Peace in Heaven Make Peace in this world. May terror, death, murder be no more.
