Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast

1100 Spring Street NW, Suite 440, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-2823

404-874-6511  •  pr@atlanta.mfa.gov.il

 

July 31, 2015

Duma Arson Attack Condemned, Considered Act of Terrorism: President Rivlin states, “We awoke this morning to a day of sorrow.”

This morning, the horrific news of an arson attack in the Palestinian village of Duma, resulting in the death of toddler Ali Dawabsha and severely injuring other family members, was met with absolute shock and outrage. The appalling attack on the Dawabsha family stunned the Israeli public while public figures from across the political spectrum quickly and unequivocally condemned it.

Israel considers the attack an act of terrorism and is acting on the assumption that it was carried out by Israeli extremists. The IDF, Israel Police and additional security forces have launched an intensive and extensive investigation to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Condemnations were issued by leaders of the government and opposition parties. Following are a few of the statements issued:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I am shocked over this reprehensible and horrific act. This is an act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of who the perpetrators are. I have ordered the security forces to use all means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice forthwith. The Government of Israel is united in its strong opposition to such deplorable and awful acts. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I would like to share in the sorrow of the family of Ali Dawabsha and wish a quick recovery to the family members who were injured."

President Reuven Rivlin: “We awoke this morning to a day of sorrow . . . I feel a sense of shame, and moreover a sense of pain. Pain over the murder of a small baby. Pain that from my people, there are those who have chosen the path of terrorism, and have lost their humanity. Their path is not my path. Their path is not our path. Their path is not the path of the State of Israel, or of the Jewish People . . . At these painful moments, I turn to the Arab citizens of Israel, and the Palestinian people, to all law abiding citizens, and ask that you do not succumb to the shock and anger. This is a time to join together. The law enforcement and the legal system will find the murderers, and bring them to justice.”

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon reported that “the security forces are carrying out a supreme effort to catch the murderers . . . This is a most severe terrorist act that we cannot tolerate, and we condemn in every way. We will not allow Jewish terrorists to harm the lives of Palestinians across Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]. We will fight them in every way, with every tool at our disposal, and we will also take strong actions against those that sent them and those that foster them.”

Naftali Bennett, Minister of Education and Jewish Home party leader said the attack was not “a ‘hate crime’ or a ‘price tag’ — it’s murder . . . The torching of the house in Duma and the murder of the baby is a shocking terror attack that is unfathomable.”

For additional information please contact Stefani Newman, Director of Public Affairs, Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast, at 404-487-6511 or at pr@atlanta.mfa.gov.il