World leaders — at least some of them — stood up to be counted among those who condemned Sunday’s terror attack in Jerusalem, with the United States leading off. The European Union, however, was not among them.
The U.S. State Department led the way with a statement saying the American government “condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack that took place [today] in Jerusalem, which resulted in the death of two Israelis and injured several others.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and our hopes for a quick and full recovery for those wounded,” the statement went on. “There is absolutely no justification for the taking of innocent lives. We also condemn the statements glorifying this reprehensible and cowardly act.”
US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro tweeted his denunciation of the attack within hours, saying he “strongly condemn today’s terrorist attack in Jerusalem. No possible justification. Condolences to the families of the 2 murder victims,” adding the Hebrew acronym suffix “z’l,” an English transliteration of the Hebrew for “Of blessed memory.”
Likewise, Australian Ambassador Dave Sharma tweeted his condemnation of the attack and condolences: “Condolences to families ….both killed in sickening Jerusalem terror attack. Condemn unreservedly.” And in an earlier tweet, Sharma wrote, “Condemn vicious terrorist shooting attack earlier today Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem. Thoughts with Injured, esp 2 females severely wounded.”
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov also issued a statement not long after the tragedy, albeit while making sure he reinforced political points about Jerusalem being “occupied” and split into pieces.
“I condemn this morning’s terror attack by a Palestinian perpetrator in occupied East Jerusalem which killed two Israelis and injured six others,” Mladenov wrote. “Nothing can justify such attacks. My thoughts are with the families and friends of all victims and I hope for a full and speedy recovery of the wounded. It is deplorable and unacceptable that Hamas and others choose to glorify such acts which undermine the possibility of a peaceful future for both Palestinians and Israelis,” he added.
British Minister for the Middle East and Africa Tobias Ellwood posted a tweet saying he “utterly condemn[s] the attacks in #Jerusalem. My thoughts are with victims and their families.”
The European Union reluctantly, belatedly joined its international colleagues with a terse political statement released late in the evening: “The death of two Israelis and injury of several others in a terrorist shooting incident in Jerusalem today illustrate once more the urgent need to bring new impetus to the peace process, as proposed in the recent report from the Quartet. The EU condemns all such acts of violence, as well as any praise or incitement for terrorist acts, and extends its sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved.”