After sending a message of condolence to King Harald V of Norway on Saturday,
President Shimon Peres on Sunday followed up with a phone call to the king to
personally voice his own and the nation’s condolences on the appalling murders
of innocent civilians in Norway last weekend.
Peres told the king that
Israel has been closely following events in Norway since the bombing by extreme
right-wing Christian fundamentalist Anders Breivik, and was shocked by his
callous behavior.
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and freedom, Peres said the attack on innocent civilians was a painful,
heart-breaking tragedy that touches every human being.
Peres told the
king that Israel conveyed its sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones
and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
He also offered Israel’s
assistance in anything that Norway might need.
King Harald shared
information with Peres about the ongoing investigation into the murderous
attack, and said Norway was shocked and grieving. The King expressed
appreciation for Israel’s show of solidarity at such a difficult
time.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu discussed the tragedy at the
opening of Sunday’s cabinet meeting, calling it a “shocking murder” and saying
that “We in Israel completely identify with this disaster and declare our
deepest shock over this crime.”
Netanyahu said Israel has experienced
this type of horror “from other directions” and knows “the families’ and the
nation’s agony. Therefore, I again send the condolences of the state, government
and people of Israel to the Norwegian people, state and government.”