Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Latest Suicide Bombing in Tel Aviv

New York, NY, January 25, 2002 - Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and leader of the North American Reform Movement, made the following statement strongly condemning the suicide bombing of a café in downtown Tel Aviv that is reported to have left over twenty people wounded. "Just as Israel is still mourning the deaths of two women in Tuesday's terrorist attack in Jerusalem, another attack is once again perpetrated against the Israeli people. These types of actions are appalling and unacceptable. We in the Reform Movement in North America stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel. We are one people. Our hearts and our prayers are with you. We demand that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority do everything in its power to prevent such horrific acts. We support the American government in its efforts to end the violence. Extremists must not be allowed to wrest control of events in the region. There can be no prospect for peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people so long as such terrorism occurs. Our prayers will continue to yearn for the day when Israelis and Palestinians will live in peace with one another, two states living side-by-side."