The US, Canada, and others have denounced the twin blasts that shook Jerusalem early on Wednesday, killing one teen and injuring close to two dozen others, raising fresh concerns that the attacks might trigger a renewed round of conflict.
An early Wednesday morning bombing attack at a bus stop close to Jerusalem's main entrance claimed the life of 16-year-old yeshiva student and Canadian citizen Aryeh Schupak. That incident and a subsequently coordinated bombing at the busy Ramot Junction in the capital left at least 22 more people injured, many of whom were in critical or serious condition.
Image:The Times of Israel
Canada
Reacting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was “incredibly saddened” to hear of Schupak’s death. “I’m sending his family and friends my deepest condolences. Canada condemns this violence in the strongest possible terms," Trudeau stated.
Canadian ambassador to Israel Lisa Stadelbauer described the attack as “reprehensible” and confirmed that Schupak was a dual Israeli-Canadian citizen. While sending condolences to Schupak’s loved ones and those injured in the twin bombing, the envoy condemned “all forms of terror.”
United States
In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US condemns “unequivocally the acts of terror overnight in Jerusalem, ” adding that the US “has offered all appropriate assistance to the Government of Israel as it investigates the attack and works to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Two American citizens were wounded in the Jerusalem explosions, according to US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, who also stated that the injured were expected to recover.
Nides remarked that he was “appalled by the cowardly terrorist attacks in Jerusalem today( Wednesday) that targeted innocent civilians, including children.”
United Kingdom
According to UK Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan, he was “shocked by the terrorist attacks” in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
“Our deepest sympathies to those affected and their families and friends,” The UK stands with Israel against terrorism,”
he wrote in both English and Hebrew on
his personal Twitter account.
The European Union
The diplomatic arm of the European Union in a statement said it “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the terror attacks.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured,” said the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EU further said that it was “worried about the dangerous escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory,” stressing that it is strongly committed to the fight against terrorism.
United Nations
The UN special coordinator for the Mideast peace process, Tor Wennesland while also condemning the attacks called it the “horrific terrorist attacks in Jerusalem,” and sent his “deepest condolences to the family of the victim.” Wennesland stated that “terrorism [and] violence against civilians can never be justified.”
Ukraine
In a Facebook post, Ukraine’s Embassy in Israel said it was “deeply saddened by the deadly attacks in Jerusalem.”
“Terror has no justification, Every human deserves peace,” the embassy wrote in English and Ukrainian.
Turkey
Turkey also spoke against the attacks saying it “condemned the terrorist attacks targeting civilians” and wished those injured a speedy recovery and condolences to the family of the teenager who lost his life in the tragic incident.
Turkey disclosed that it was “deeply concerned about the recent escalating tension in Jerusalem and the West Bank” and the ongoing loss of life.
Australia
Writing on Twitter, the Australian Ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths said his “thoughts are with those affected by the shocking attacks in Jerusalem. Such violence is never acceptable", he added. Griffiths urged Australians in Israel to “remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.”
France
While condemning the attacks in tweets written in French and Hebrew, the French Embassy in Israel lamented that “Jerusalem was once again struck this morning,” and described the incident as “indiscriminate and shocking” bombing attacks.
Nobody has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, but according to The Times of Israel, Hamas praised the attacks.
However, Deputy Commissioner Sigal Bar Zvi said police believed an organized cell, rather than a single person, was responsible for the attacks because it involved two nearly identical devices going off within 30 minutes of one another at two bus stops.
"I believe we will capture the terror cell,” she said.
Between 2000 and 2005, bombings on buses and in public places were a defining feature of the Second Intifada, but they have largely decreased over the past 17 years, which Israeli officials have attributed to better intelligence and heightened security measures, including the West Bank security barrier.
Police said they were looking for an organized terror cell that detonated the two “high quality” explosive devices. According to the head of the Israeli police operations division, the “powerful explosive devices [capable of producing] a high level of damage” were hidden behind the bus stop and in a bush, The Times of Israel reports.
Crime
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