NEW YORK, June 7, 2011 – In response to the
graffiti and torching of a West Bank mosque today near Ramallah, allegedly by
settlers protesting Israeli action taken against unauthorized settlements,
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the
following statement:
We unequivocally condemn today's vandalism
at a West Bank mosque. Acts of arson are always wrong and are especially
despicable when directed at a house of worship. It is our hope that this act of
terrorism will remain an isolated incident and not spark future vandalism or
retaliation.
Reports indicate that the name of a
recently evacuated settlement, Alei Ayin, was written on the mosque, and police
suspect that the vandalism could be linked to the evacuation. We call on all
those who live within Israel's borders to abstain from violence and vandalism
and instead work to foster an atmosphere where peace can become a reality.
Attacks of this type undermine Israel's security and the ability of her
government to ensure the safety of all her citizens.
We commend Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu for his swift condemnation of the attack, and we welcome Defense
Minister Ehud Barak's statements that the IDF will use any measures necessary
to capture the perpetrators. We hope that the perpetrators will be brought to
justice quickly and further incidents of this sort will be prevented.
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