Liberman to American Jews: Immigrate to Israel

In aftermath of Monsey attack, Yisrael Beytenu leader says moving to Israel is solution to antisemitism

By MAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Jewish people try to take a look of the area where 5 people were stabbed at a Hasidic rabbi's home in Monsey, New York (photo credit: REUTERS)
Jewish people try to take a look of the area where 5 people were stabbed at a Hasidic rabbi's home in Monsey, New York
(photo credit: REUTERS)
“Again and again, we are witnessing the dire consequences of antisemitism,” Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman expressed upon learning of the latest antisemitic attack in New York, which left five people wounded, including two critically. “Alongside the deep grief and best wishes for the injured, it is important to know that the main solution to such phenomena is immigration to Israel.”
On Saturday night New York time, a perpetrator entered a Hassidic synagogue located in the Forshay neighborhood in Monsey. He pulled out a machete and began to stab people.
At Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and sent wishes for recovery to the victims. “We will cooperate in every way with the local authorities to help eradicate this phenomenon [of antisemitism],” the prime minister said. “We offer our help to every country [that needs it].”
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan echoed those sentiments.
“We will also continue to work tirelessly to restore the sense of personal security each and every Jew deserves, even from afar, wherever they are.”
He noted that this recent attack – “this time through a vile machete attack” – is representative of the “delegitimization and antisemitism” that Israel and the Jewish people face every day.
“Enough talk, it is time for action to deter those who propagate this hatred,” UN Ambassador Danny Danon said, though he did not specify what kind of action would be needed.
President Reuven Rivlin expressed “shock” and “outrage.” “The rise of antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, and certainly not just the State of Israel’s problem,” he said. “We must work together to confront this evil, which is raising its head again and is a genuine threat around the world.”
Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog called the attack “an attempt of cold-blooded murder of Jews, in the heart of a warm and thriving Jewish community that gathered to light Hanukkah candles... This past year, the Jewish holidays have turned from joyous times of light to dark days filled with fear for Jews around the world,” he continued. “Law enforcement agencies in the United States are making huge efforts to protect Jewish communities, but a relentless battle must be waged against this horrifying and painful spate of violent antisemitic acts. It’s unacceptable that a Jew wearing a kippah cannot safely walk the streets of New York. It always starts with the Jews, but never ends just with the Jews.”
At the same time, Yaakov Hagoel, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization and commissioner of the organization’s Department for Israel & Countering Antisemitism, “demanded” that the US government protect Jews. “Pass strict laws to combat antisemitism, enforce existing anti-xenophobic legislation and, most importantly, implement anti-hate programs in all schools,” he said.
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz expressed confidence in the New York authorities to take action and “do everything possible to mitigate the phenomenon.”
Others simply expressed their wishes for a speedy recovery and solidarity with the Jewish community. “I send my wishes for a full and speedy recovery to those injured in the stabbing attack in Monsey,” wrote Blue and White’s Yair Lapid. “Antisemitism will not defeat us and will not break our spirit. Like all of us, the community in Monsey will light Hanukkah candles tonight and pray for good news.”
Former MK Michael Oren tweeted: “The Hanukkah lights cannot be extinguished by hatred and tonight, together with the Jews of Monsey, we will light them again in sorrow, solidarity and faith.”
But Joint List MK Ofer Cassif used the incident to attack US President Donald Trump. “Where Trump incites against Muslims and immigrants, antisemitism and attacks against Jews will likewise flourish,” he wrote on Twitter. He sent his condolences to the victims and concluded, “May the world be able to overcome the current tsunami of racial hatred.”
 


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