NEW YORK – In response to the Israeli authorities’ apprehension of six suspects in the murder of Muhammad Abu Khdeir, and multiple suspects’ confession to the crime, the Rabbinical Assembly issued the following statement:
Muhammad Abu Khdeir’s killing was both an act of terrorism and a violation of Jewish law. We condemn this murder in the strongest terms and those responsible for such a hillul Hashem—a desecration of God’s name. There is no room within our Jewish values to permit the murder of innocent children.
We thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and the other government officials who have condemned this tragic act and call upon them to ensure that those who break the law suffer the fullest extent of its penalties. We send our condolences to Muhammad’s family and wish them strength and comfort.
We urge Israeli and Palestinian leaders to work together to restore calm and avoid dangerous rhetoric and we continue to pray for an end to the violence and senseless loss of life. May all of us strive to fulfill the biblical command of Leviticus 19: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”