U.S. and EU condemn Gush Etzion terror attack

A dual citizen of Israel and the United States, Fuld, 45, lived in nearby Efrat and had been shopping in the mall at the time of the attack.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 23:47

Updated: SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 10:37

Footage of terrorist attack in Gush Etzion Junction on September 16, 2018. (Pizza Hashikma)

The United States and European Union envoys condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack in the Gush Etzion junction, which claimed the life of well-known pro-Israel advocate Ari Fuld.

A father of four, Fuld stood between the junction’s mall and the Rami Levi supermarket when he was stabbed in the back by Khalil Yusef Ali Jabarin, 17, from the city of Yatta in the South Hebron Hills.

Mortally wounded, Fuld chased his Palestinian attacker, jumping over a short stone wall and shooting him, before collapsing. Evacuated to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center, he succumbed there to his wounds.

A dual citizen of Israel and the United States, Fuld, 45, lived in nearby Efrat and had been shopping in the mall at the time of the attack.

US Ambassador David Friedman tweeted a condolence message: “America grieves as one of its citizens was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist.”

America grieves as one of its citizens was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist. Ari Fuld was a passionate defender of Israel & an American patriot. He represented the best of both countries & will be deeply missed. May his family be comforted & his memory be blessed.
— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) September 16, 2018

Fuld, Friedman wrote, “was a passionate defender of Israel and an American patriot. He represented the best of both countries, and will be deeply missed. May his family be comforted and his memory be blessed.”

French ambassador to Israel Hélène Le Gal tweeted, "All my condolences to the family of Ari Fuld."

Toutes mes condoléances à la famille d’Ari Fuld, victime d’une attaque au couteau ce matin en Cisjordanie. Rien ne justifie de tels actes terroristes.
— Hélène Le Gal (@HeleneLeGal) September 16, 2018

European Union envoy Emanuele Giaufret also sent condolences stating on Twitter: “There can be no justification for violence and terror.”

My condolences to the family of the Israeli civilian victim of a stabbing attack in the West Bank today. There can be no justification for violence and terror.
— Emanuele Giaufret (@EGiaufretEU) September 16, 2018

President Reuven Rivlin said Fuld “displayed exceptional courage and fought until the last moment. We, too, will pursue by any means the perpetrators of this attack.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likewise praised Fuld’s heroism.

“With his last strength, Ari fought heroically against the terrorist and prevented a graver tragedy,” Netanyahu said. “He was an outstanding father to four children who fought for the truth on the side of Israeli hasbara [advocacy].”