American Citizen Killed in West Bank Terror Attack

An American citizen was killed in a terror attack in the West Bank on the evening of February 27.

The Israeli-American victim, identified as Elan Ganeles (26), was shot at in his vehicle by several terrorists along the desert highway Road 90 nearby Jericho; the terrorists then shot at two other vehicles before fleeing law enforcement toward Jericho. No one in the other two vehicles were injured.

United States Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides tweeted confirmation that the victim was in fact an American citizen and offered prayers to the victim’s family. State Department spokesperson Ned Price condemned the terror attack during a February 27 briefing.

Sadly, I can confirm that a U.S. citizen was killed in one of the terror attacks in the West Bank tonight. I pray for his family.

— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) February 27, 2023

The Anti-Defamation League tweeted, “We are deeply saddened by the murder of a US-Israeli citizen in yet another Palestinian terrorist attack. Our deepest condolences to his family, and may his memory be a blessing.”

We are deeply saddened by the murder of a US-Israeli citizen in yet another Palestinian terrorist attack. Our deepest condolences to his family, and may his memory be a blessing. https://t.co/n2rtYvvcZk

— ADL (@ADL) February 27, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center tweeted that the “U.S. must demand that Palestinians void legislation that funnels millions to families of Palestinian murderers of Jews.”

An American citizen was murdered by Palestinian terrorist tonight near the Dead Sea. US must demand that Palestinians void legislation that funnels millions to families of Palestinian murderers of Jews.https://t.co/EvIjm9JCTc via @ArutzSheva_En

— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) February 28, 2023

Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), similarly tweeted, “Yet another American murdered by Palestinian terrorists. The Biden administration needs to enforce US law prohibiting ‘pay for slay’ where US taxpayer money is used to subsidize a system that rewards attacks on American citizens.”

Yet another American murdered by Palestinian terrorists.

The Biden administration needs to enforce US law prohibiting “pay for slay” where US taxpayer money is used to subsidize a system that rewards attacks on American citizens. https://t.co/18qNqYEWNa

— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) February 27, 2023

Ganeles, originally from Connecticut, was visiting Israel for a wedding, according to Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). He had graduated from Columbia University in 2022 and studied the field of sustainable development and neuroscience. His funeral will be held in Ra’anana, northeast of Tel Aviv, on March 1.

The killing of Ganeles comes a day after two Israeli brothers, identified as Yagel Yaniv (19) and Hallel Yaniv (21), were shot and killed by a terrorist in Huwara, a town located in Nablus. Israeli settlers subsequently rioted in the town, setting Palestinian homes ablaze and shooting and killing one Palestinian. At least three other Palestinians were injured during the riot.

“We’re alarmed and saddened by the escalation of violence in Israel and the West Bank,” J Street tweeted. “We are concerned by the far-right Israeli govt’s latest major moves toward annexation and deepening occupation, which feed the cycle of conflict and injustice.”

We're alarmed and saddened by the escalation of violence in Israel and the West Bank. We are concerned by the far-right Israeli govt’s latest major moves toward annexation and deepening occupation, which feed the cycle of conflict and injustice.

THREAD👇https://t.co/uZg68VzLy0

— J Street (@jstreetdotorg) February 27, 2023