In Wake of Savage Murderous Attack Against Jews Praying in Jerusalem Synagogue: SWC Calls on US and EU to Suspend PA Funding Until Incitement To Murder Jews has Ended - **Read related 'Wall Street Journal' story

November 18, 2014

New York Jewish Community Condemns Synagogue Attack
Area Leaders Call for An End to Violence; Temples Heighten Security

The Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed horror and outrage over the murder and maiming of Jews at prayer at a synagogue in Jerusalem.

"We speak for all 400,000 constituent families of our human rights NGO to demand that our leaders do more than offer 'heartfelt condolences' for such senseless attacks," said Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper, Dean and Founder and Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

“These attacks with knives, axes, guns, and cars by Palestinians are not senseless but calculated and part of an ongoing terror campaign against Jews that have involved members of terror groups and which have been lauded by the Palestinian Authority.

"Make no mistake about it, these attacks may be occurring in Jerusalem, but they are inspired and directed from the heart of Gaza. The terrorist organizations, headed by Hamas, that have unleashed this terrorist campaign, should not be rewarded by a return to normalcy at Gaza border crossings. The EU needs to warn the PA if they don’t reign in this terror campaign, that they will suspend aid to the Palestinians.

"Too many Western politicians, instead of unequivocally condemning the growing wave of terror, in effect reward those who promote and celebrate murderers, by using their parliamentary positions to endorse a non-existent Palestinian state and other diplomatic and material support for the Palestinian cause.

"Our hearts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Israel, who struggle every day to carry on with their lives, based on the life-affirming values of Judaism and the Jewish State, while striving to live in peace with their neighbors.

"The Simon Wiesenthal Center unequivocally backs all steps that the government of Israel, the mayor of Jerusalem and the IDF must take to ensure the safety of all its citizens," the Rabbis concluded.

For further information, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310.553.9036,, join the Center on Facebook, www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent direct to your Twitter page or mobile device.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).