NJDC Condemns Bulgaria Bombing; Extends Condolences to Victims and Families

NJDC — July 18, 2012 – 2:06 pm | Israel | Terrorism Comments (1) Add a comment

The National Jewish Democratic Council extends its condolences to the victims, families, and all who have been affected by today’s horrific bombing of an Israeli tourist bus in Bulgaria. NJDC stands in solidarity with Israel—and the Jewish people—following this brazen attack, and we hope and expect that those responsible are quickly brought to justice.

In addition, the White House promptly condemned the bombing. According to the AP:

The White House is condemning ‘in the strongest possible terms’ a deadly blast in Bulgaria that struck a bus of Israeli tourists.

White House press secretary Jay Carney says the United   States ‘condemns such attacks on innocent people, especially children, in the strongest possible terms.’ Carney says President Barack Obama’s ‘thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured.’

Carney says the U.S. stands with the Israeli people and the people of Bulgaria. He says the Obama administration was working to learn all the facts in the case but the U.S.‘s ‘commitment to Israel’s security remains unshakeable.’

President Barack Obama said in a statement:

I strongly condemn today’s barbaric terrorist attack on Israelis in Bulgaria. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured, and with the people of Israel, Bulgaria, and any other nation whose citizens were harmed in this awful event. These attacks against innocent civilians, including children, are completely outrageous. The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack. As Israel has tragically once more been a target of terrorism, the United States reaffirms our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.

The President also called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and offered “his condolences and assistance.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said:

I was deeply saddened and angered to learn of today’s terrorist attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. The United States condemns in the strongest terms this heinous terrorist attack against innocent civilians. We offer our deepest condolences to the victims and their loved ones. The United States stands ready to offer any assistance necessary, and we will work with our partners in Bulgaria, Israel and elsewhere so that the perpetrators can be apprehended swiftly and brought to justice for this appalling crime.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice tweeted:

We extend our condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and stand with the people of Israel & Bulgaria.

And:

The terrorist attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria today is outrageous, an act of supreme cowardice.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel said:

Out thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in the terrorist attack on Israeli bus in Bulgaria. As President Obama said in his statement: ‘United States reaffirms our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.’

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said:

Our thoughts and prayers rest with the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed and injured in today’s terrorist attack.

Whether within Israel’s borders or around the world, attacks against innocent Israeli men, women, and children are reprehensible and outrageous. All Members of Congress and the American people must stand together to condemn this bombing in the strongest terms possible.

Falling 18 years after the bombing against the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires, today’s attack is a clear reminder that we must redouble our efforts to bring terrorists to justice; we must maintain and strengthen our commitment to the security of the Jewish state; and we will always stand firm on side of the safety of the Israeli people.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said:

Today’s attack is a tragic reminder of the threat of terrorism Israelis face at home and abroad.  Those who planned, carried out, and sponsored this attack will surely be identified and face justice for their actions and involvement.

The murder of innocent tourists is a shameful act of cowardice that should give all Americans pause.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, with Israelis and Bulgarians wounded in today’s attack, and with those in Jewish communities throughout the world for whom it has brought a terrible moment of uncertainty and heightened vigilance.  Let there be no uncertainty, though, that the people of the United States stand side-by-side with the people of Israel in their quest for security and the peace all nations deserve. 

Democratic National Committee Chair Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) said:

I am saddened and outraged by this horrific and brutal attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. On this 18th anniversary of the deadly bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today’s tragic and senseless attack serves as a constant reminder of the deplorable violence and anti-Semitism that still exists in our world. The United States stands strong with our ally Israel in condemning this atrocity and supporting the unshakable U.S.-Israel relationship. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Israel and Bulgaria, and the families of the victims of today’s unforgivable attack.

Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV) said:

Our hearts are with the families of those killed in the horrific Bulgarian bus bombing and our thoughts and prayers for a full recovery are with those injured in this terrorist attack.  Those responsible for this bloodshed and for targeting innocent Israeli tourists in a brutal massacre cannot go unpunished and they must be brought to justice.  No justification ever exists for bombing a bus loaded with innocent men, women and children, and we are once again reminded of the dangers that Israelis face on a daily basis both at home and when traveling abroad.  Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with our special ally Israel at this time of mourning and we share the grief that has been unleashed by this latest terrorist tragedy.

Representative Howard Berman (D-CA) tweeted: 

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the terrorist attack against innocent Israeli tourists in Bulgaria and their loved ones.

Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said: 

I am deeply saddened by today’s despicable terrorist attack against Israeli tourists in Bulgaria that killed and injured innocent men, women, and children. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of those who were senselessly massacred.

These anti-Semitic, anti-Israel attacks anywhere in the world must be strongly condemned. The President has said that the United States has an unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security and I expect a robust effort to find out who is responsible for this act of terrorism.

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said:

With the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Massacre on the horizon, we are once again reminded that Israel and her allies are still targets of worldwide terrorism. The Israeli victims of this vicious terrorist attack in Burgas,  Bulgaria will not be forgotten and I stand with our allies who want to see the perpetrators brought to justice. Terrorism, in any form, cannot be allowed to stand. I am fully committed to supporting Israel’s right to defend herself. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

May peace and solace find them in their time of grief.

Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) tweeted: 

Disgusted by the cowardly attack on Israelis in ‪#Bulgaria. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Israeli people.

Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) tweeted: 

The terrorist attack against innocent Israeli tourists in Bulgaria was horrific. We mourn the loss of life & stand w Israel in solidarity.

Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY) said:

The United States and the rest of the civilized world must stand with the Israel against terrorism. Until terrorism ceases against Israeli citizens there will not be peace in the Middle East.   The violence must stop, and must stop now.  I find it more than coincidental that on the 18th anniversary of the bombing of the AMIA Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires, an Israeli target was attacked, this time in Europe.   We must stand up to the terrorists, wherever and whenever they strike.  The United States should provide whatever assistance Bulgaria requires to bring the perpetrators to justice. Should Iran or another nation be found responsible, it must be held accountable.

Let us keep all these victims and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL) said: 

I was deeply saddened to learn of today’s unconscionable attack on Israeli and Bulgarian tourists.  This kind of senseless violence is an act of cowardice and hatred.  It is yet another unnecessary reminder of the threats Israelis face both at home and abroad.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims during this most difficult time.  I stand with my friends in Israel and the Jewish community in praying for peace around the world.  This tragic event reminds us all that there are still people who choose hate and intolerance over understanding and compassion. We must continue to stand side-by-side with Israel as it pursues a safe and secure future, and we must work together across all racial, religious, gender, and cultural lines and not allow these senseless acts to continue.”

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) said:

These attacks against innocent people are horrifying and reprehensible. Such violence targeting people for their ethnicity, nationality or religion has absolutely no place in our world.  I join my Colleagues in Congress and the American people in condemning such acts of terrorism.

Today’s horrendous attack reminds us that our Jewish friends are not any safer than they were 18 years ago, when the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires was bombed. The Israeli people still live under real threat every day. The United States will stand strongly with our Allies to protect the security of the Israeli people.

My thoughts and prayers are with today’s victims and their families and friends. May those who are injured recover soon and the families and friends of the deceased find peace.

Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) said:

I am deeply saddened and troubled by the heinous attack against innocent civilians, including children, in Bulgaria today. There is absolutely no place in any society for this type of cowardly act. Today’s tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the fact that Israel and her people remain under a constant threat of violence. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured as a result of this senseless attack.

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper is posting live updates about the bombing. Click here for breaking news on this terrible tragedy. 

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