Jewish groups issued condemnations of the latest terror attack in Israel as well as their condolences to the victims and their families.
The attack took place in the Haredi-dominated city of Elad on May 5, Israel’s Independence Day. It reportedly involved two Palestinian terrorists armed with an axe and a knife killing three people and injuring at least four others. The terrorists have been identified as As’ad Yousef As’ad al-Rifa’i, 19, and Subhi Emad Subhi Abu Shqeir, 20. Both are from the Palestinian village Rumana––just northwest of Jenin in the West Bank––and reportedly entered Israel illegally through a gap in the West Bank security barrier. Residents were ordered to shelter in place until the two terrorists are caught.
The victims have been identified as Boaz Gol, who was in his 40s, Oren Ben Yiftah, 37, and Yonatan Havakuk, 40. The three men left behind 16 children. Havakuk’s widow wrote in a Facebook post that he had fought the terrorists so others could escape.
The victims of last night's terror attack in Elad, Israel, have been named:
Oren Ben Yiftah, 37, a father of six
Boaz Gol, in his 40s, a father of five
Yonatan Havakuk, 40, a father of five16 young children orphaned.
May Oren, Boaz, and Yonatan's memories be a blessing. 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/5vpsdSrGMH
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) May 6, 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement, “Our enemies have set out on a campaign of murder against Jews. Their goal is to break our spirit, and they will fail. We’ll put our hands on the terrorists and their collaborators, and they will pay the price. I send my condolences from the depth of my heart to the families of the murdered.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid similarly said in a statement, “The joy of Independence Day is cut short in an instant. The murderous terror attack in Elad is terrifying to the heart and soul. Three murdered and another three wounded by lowly terrorists. I send condolences from the depth of my heart to the families that lost a loved one this evening, and pray with all of Israel for the safety of the injured.” He vowed that the Jewish state “will not let the terrorists scare us.” “The security forces will catch the murderers and stand them on trial,” Lapid said. “We will continue to fight together for our independence and the safety of Israeli citizens.”
United States Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted, “Heartbreaking end to Yom HaAtzmaut in Elad. I share the grief of families of those murdered in the terrorist attack & wish speedy recovery to the wounded. This must STOP!”
Heartbreaking end to Yom HaAtzmaut in Elad. I share the grief of families of those murdered in the terrorist attack & wish speedy recovery to the wounded. This must STOP!
— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) May 5, 2022
Jewish groups weighed in.
“We are following reports of a suspected terror attack in the Israeli city of Elad, killing 3,” the Anti-Defamation League tweeted. “Our hearts break for the victims, and our prayers go out to the injured. This terrorism is depraved and cowardly, especially as millions of Israelis celebrate #YomHaAtzmaut.”
We are following reports of a suspected terror attack in the Israeli city of Elad, killing 3. Our hearts break for the victims, and our prayers go out to the injured. This terrorism is depraved and cowardly, especially as millions of Israelis celebrate #YomHaAtzmaut. https://t.co/pQen71pRdE
— ADL (@ADL) May 5, 2022
The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “As Israel celebrated its independence—a day after Yom HaZikaron—at least three people were murdered in a terror attack in the city of Elad. This is another reminder that even today, 74 years after its founding, Israel is still fighting for peace and stability.” In a subsequent tweet, they lobbied Congress “to continue to stand by Israel and strengthen the vital U.S.-Israel alliance as the Jewish state celebrates its 74th birthday.”
As Israel celebrated its independence—a day after Yom HaZikaron—at least three people were murdered in a terror attack in the city of Elad.
This is another reminder that even today, 74 years after its founding, Israel is still fighting for peace and stability. pic.twitter.com/PXDc4B3DsW
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 5, 2022
On #YomHaAzmaut, Israelis are again under attack.
The time to act is now.
Urge Congress to continue to stand by Israel and strengthen the vital U.S.-Israel alliance as the Jewish state celebrates its 74th birthday.https://t.co/kuySMm6c7q
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 5, 2022
Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said in a statement: “No current peace partner in Holy Land. Palestinian leadership continue to praise, support terrorists, and reward them and families for murdering and maiming Jews. It will stop when [the] world holds [the Palestinian] leadership accountable for their incitement and support for terrorism.”
StandWithUs Israel Executive Director Michael Dickson tweeted, “To be Israeli is a dizzying thing. We mourn our dead; we celebrate life with equal strength. Such is the transition between Remembrance and Independence Day. This year a deadly attack plunges us back into mourning immediately. We grieve deeply, but resolve to survive and thrive.”
To be Israeli is a dizzying thing. We mourn our dead; we celebrate life with equal strength. Such is the transition between Remembrance and Independence Day.
This year a deadly attack plunges us back into mourning immediately. We grieve deeply, but resolve to survive and thrive.
— Michael Dickson (@michaeldickson) May 5, 2022
B’nai Brith International tweeted, “As #Israel celebrates its Independence Day, and following the day of remembrance of fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, we are heartbroken by yet another deadly attack that killed 3 in Elad – in a suspected terror attack.”
As #Israel celebrates its Independence Day, and following the day of remembrance of fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, we are heartbroken by yet another deadly attack that killed 3 in Elad – in a suspected terror attack. https://t.co/zVlUTu7Q0e
— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) May 5, 2022
J Street that the terror attack was “horrific and heartbreaking.” “This must stop,” they wrote. “There can be no justification for such violence. Our hearts are with the victims and their families and we hope the injured make a full recovery.”
Just horrific and heartbreaking. This must stop. There can be no justification for such violence. Our hearts are with the victims and their families and we hope the injured make a full recovery. https://t.co/S0jgfPlItW
— J Street (@jstreetdotorg) May 5, 2022
Americans for Peace Now tweeted that they “strongly” condemn the terror attack. “We send condolences to the victims and wish fast and full recovery to the injured,” they wrote. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.”
APN strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack in Israel today, at the town of Elad, as Israel's 74th Independence Day comes to an end. We send condolences to the victims and wish fast and full recovery to the injured. We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel.
— Americans for Peace Now (@PeaceNowUS) May 5, 2022
The European Leadership Network (ELNET) tweeted that the “heinous terror attack” occurred “a day after Memorial Day for fallen soldiers & terror victims. Hamas cynically ties attack to Temple Mount despite Israel consistently upholding the status quo.”
Breaking: at least 3 killed in another heinous terror attack in public park full of families on Israels Independence Day, a day after Memorial Day for fallen soldiers & terror victims
Hamas cynically ties attack to Temple Mount despite Israel consistently upholding the status quo https://t.co/U21AthVUWK— ELNET (@elnetwork_eu) May 5, 2022
American Jewish Committee Managing Director of Public Affairs Avi Mayer tweeted that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were handing out sweets in celebration of the Elad terror attack. “Various propagandists claimed several weeks ago, when Palestinians were handing out sweets to celebrate the deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv, that they were merely marking the end of that day’s Ramadan fast,” Mayer wrote. “That was obviously a lie, as we all knew it was. And here’s the proof.”
Various propagandists claimed several weeks ago, when Palestinians were handing out sweets to celebrate the deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv, that they were merely marking the end of that day’s Ramadan fast. That was obviously a lie, as we all knew it was. And here’s the proof. https://t.co/E2QJIXIm2k
— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) May 5, 2022
Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the terror attack. Joe Truzman, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Long War Journal, tweeted that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had recently “called on more attacks against Israelis whether by cleaver, gun, axe or knife.” “Difficult to ignore the connection between Yahya Sinwar’s recent urging to murder Israelis & tonight’s terrorist attack in Elad,” he wrote.
Just a few days ago, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar called on more attacks against Israelis whether by cleaver, gun, axe or knife.
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 5, 2022
Difficult to ignore the connection between Yahya Sinwar's recent urging to murder Israelis & tonight's terrorist attack in Elad. Though it's unclear if the Israeli gov. will respond against Hamas in Gaza after it has largely gone unpunished for its incitement over the last 6 wks.
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) May 5, 2022
