Israeli Leaders Send Condolences to Turkey Over Airport Terror Attack
Jerusalem (TPS) – The deadly terror attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport on Tuesday evening has drawn political reactions worldwide, including from many Israeli political figures, some of whom took the opportunity on Wednesday to link the attack with the reconciliation deal between the two countries that was approved on the same day.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on Wednesday “strongly condemning” the terror attack, adding that “all the civilized peoples must stand together to fight the disease of terror.”
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin sent his condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that the normalization would help both parties join forces against global terrorism.
“This cowardly, murderous act is an example of the most vitriolic hatred the like of which we are sadly seeing across our region and the entire world today,” Rivlin wrote in a letter to Erdogan. “I take this opportunity to welcome the chance to renew our good relationship, especially because our strengthened dialogue will greatly aid in our joint efforts against this threat.”
A similar statement was made by Dore Gold, Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who sent his “deep sympathy to the people of Turkey” on Twitter, and added that “together, with a new chapter in our relations, we can have a more effective fight on terror.”
Thank you @IsraelinUN for standing with #Turkey https://t.co/coahGNc6Nw
— Turkish Mission – UN (@Turkey_UN) June 29, 2016
The triple suicide bombing and gun attack was carried out in the bustling airport and left at least 41 dead, including 13 foreigners, and 239 injured. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim blamed the attack on the Islamic State terror organization, also known as ISIS. Turkey declared Wednesday a national day of mourning.
MK Ksenia Svetlova of the Zionist Union shared her sadness and concern for the victims, as well as her support for a “global” response to radical Islamic terrorism.
“My thoughts are with the people at the explosion. I just returned from there two days ago,” she wrote on Twitter immediately after the attack. “The threat of radical Islamic terrorism is global,” she added, “and so should be a reaction to it. We need widespread intelligence collaborations and to acknowledge the danger of religious extremism.”
Israeli Parliament Speaker Yuli Edelstein sent a condolence letter to his Turkish counterpart Ismail Kahraman. ”On behalf of all the Knesset members I would like to express our deep shock and outrage over the vile terror attack at the Ataturk airport yesterday,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, Turkey has fallen victim to murderous terror attacks by extremists who wish to disrupt normal civic life, spread fear and terror in the name of God to promote their deadly goals,” added Edelstein. “At this dire hour for Turkey we wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded.”
MK Yair Lapid reacted to the attack by criticizing the international responses to it. “It is time for the world to wake up. Israel is still internationally condemned again and again, but any condemnation of Islamic violence is avoided like fire,” he said.
Shimon Peres, a former Israeli president and prime minister, called on world leaders to join forces against the terror threat.
“Anyone who chooses to turn to terrorism should know that there will be serious consequences,” he said in a statement Wednesday morning. “I urge all of the world’s leaders to join hands in the stern and uncompromising war against terrorism and hatred of ‘the other’.”